Chess Puzzle #Z4cxh — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; rook b7; bishop f3; pawns c7/d5/e5/g2/g5. Black: king e7; queen c1; rook c8; pawns a5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook c8→c7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7+ — rook b7→c7, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen c1→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: d6+ — pawn d5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen c7→d6, captures pawn).
4. Best move: exd6+ — pawn e5→d6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long. The key move Rxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/1RP1k3/6p1/p2PP1Pp/8/5B1K/6P1/2q5 b - - 0 44

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