Chess Puzzle #U6nWb — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen a6; rooks c1/f1; pawns a3/b4/c3/f4/g3/h3. Black: king f8; queen f7; rooks c4/c8; pawns b5/e4/f6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c4→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen a6→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook c3→c8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Rc7+ — rook c8→c7, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, X-ray attack. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2k2/5qp1/Q4p1p/1p6/1Pr1pP2/P1P3PP/6K1/2R2R2 b - - 0 38

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