Chess Puzzle #XI45Z — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e1; rooks c7/g1; pawns b2/b5/f3/h2. Black: king h8; queen c4; rook a8; bishop g7; knight f4; pawns a7/b7/c5/f5/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg8 — rook a8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rgxg7 — rook g1→g7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxg7 (rook g8→g7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qg8 (queen c4→g8).
4. Best move: Rxg8+ — rook c8→g8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, master, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxg8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r6k/ppR3bp/8/1Pp2p2/2q2n2/5P2/1P5P/4Q1RK b - - 1 29

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