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

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; rooks a1/a4; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen c6; rooks d8/h8; bishop e7; pawns b7/d6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook d8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ra8+ — rook a4→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc7 (king b8→c7).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook a8→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook h8→c8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rc1 — rook a1→c1.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/1p2bpp1/2qp3p/8/R7/QP6/P4PPP/R5K1 b - - 0 22

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