Chess Puzzle #c1vVJ — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks c1/e1; pawns a2/f6/g2/g3/h3. Black: king e8; queen d7; rook c8; bishop f8; knight c5; pawns a7/b6/d6/e6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd3 — knight c5→d3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen d7→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qb5+ — queen h5→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e8→d8).
4. Best move: Qxd3 — queen b5→d3, captures knight.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r1kb2/p2q1p1p/1p1ppP2/2n4Q/8/6PP/P5P1/2R1R1K1 b - - 2 23

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