Chess Puzzle #Yw16u — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c6; rooks c1/f1; bishops d3/d6; pawns a3/b4/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks c8/f8; bishop d4; pawns a7/b6/c7/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf1+ — rook f8→f1, captures rook, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxf1 — bishop d3→f1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen e7→d6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxd6 — queen c6→d6, captures queen. Opponent replies cxd6 (pawn c7→d6, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/p1p1q1pp/1pQBp3/8/1P1bP3/P2B4/6PP/2R2R1K b - - 0 23

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