Chess Puzzle #XGz9C — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a1; rooks a8/c7; pawns d4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b3; rook f8; bishop g6; knight d2; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb1+ — queen b3→b1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb1 — queen a1→b1, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxb1 (bishop g6→b1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rcc8 — rook c7→c8. Opponent replies g6 (pawn g7→g6).
4. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook c8→f8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: R4rk1/2R2ppp/4p1b1/3pP3/3P4/1q6/3n2PP/Q6K b - - 1 29

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