Chess Puzzle #b7eR0 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c1; rook c7; bishop d3; knight b1; pawns b3/c2/d4/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen a1; rooks b4/e8; bishop e6; pawns a7/c3/d5/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook e8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c7→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop e6→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh6 — queen c1→h6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxb1+ (queen a1→b1, captures knight, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p1R2p2/4b2p/3p4/1r1P3P/1PpB4/2P2PP1/qNQ3K1 b - - 1 20

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