Chess Puzzle #VWQVG — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g3; rook c1; pawns a3/b2/e5/f4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen d4; rook d5; pawns a6/b5/e6/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb2 — queen d4→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Rc7 — rook c8→c7. Opponent replies Qc1+ (queen b2→c1, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxc1 — rook c7→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 7k/6p1/p3p2p/1p1rPp2/3q1P2/P5QP/1P4P1/2R4K b - - 2 29

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