Chess Puzzle #aq2FF — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d8; rook c1; bishops b1/g3; pawns b2/e3/f4/g2. Black: king g8; queen a4; rook f7; bishops d4/d5; knight a5; pawns a6/b5/e6/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king g8→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8 — rook c1→c8. Opponent replies Qd1+ (queen a4→d1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Opponent replies Qxb1 (queen d1→b1, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qg8+ — queen d8→g8, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame, quiet move, sacrifice. The key move is Rc8.

Position data

FEN: 3Q2k1/5r2/p3p2p/np1b4/q2b1P2/4P1B1/1P4P1/1BR3K1 b - - 1 33

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