Chess Puzzle #VSmjw — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks f1/g3; pawns a2/b2/f5/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen h5; rooks c8/h8; bishop b7; pawns a6/b5/c6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c6→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen c2→c3, gives check. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
3. Best move: Rxg6+ — rook g3→g6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxg6 (queen h5→g6, captures rook).
4. Best move: fxg6 — pawn f5→g6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move Rxg6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r4r/1b3pk1/p1p3p1/1p3P1q/8/6RP/PPQ3P1/5RK1 b - - 0 26

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