Chess Puzzle #gv7ca — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook c7; bishop b5; knight e6; pawns a3/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a8; bishop d1; knight f6; pawns b6/d5/e4/g6/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa5 — queen a8→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Nd8+ — knight e6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f7→e7).
4. Best move: Nc6+ — knight d8→c6, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: q5k1/2R3p1/1p2Nnp1/1B1p3p/3Pp3/P3P3/1P3PPP/3b2K1 b - - 1 29

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