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

Position

White: king g4; queen f6; rook c1; pawns f4/h6. Black: king f8; queen c7; rook a3; pawns a6/c2/d5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb3 — rook a3→b3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qd7 (queen c7→d7).
3. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen d7→c8, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qh8+ — queen f6→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
5. Best move: Qxc8 — queen h8→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, sacrifice, skewer, very long. The key move Rxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/2q2p1p/p3pQpP/3p4/5PK1/r7/2p5/2R5 b - - 6 40

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