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

Position

White: king h3; queen b8; rook c4; bishop e4; pawns d4/e3/f4/g3/h4. Black: king g7; queen e7; rooks a2/a5; pawns e6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re2 — rook a2→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8 — rook c4→c8. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e2→e3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rg8+ — rook c8→g8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g7→h7).
4. Best move: Rh8+ — rook g8→h8, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is Rc8.

Position data

FEN: 1Q6/4qpk1/4p1pp/r7/2RPBP1P/4P1PK/r7/8 b - - 4 33

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