Chess Puzzle #nt1J9 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/d1; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/c2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen e6; rooks d2/d8; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/c7/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook d2→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd8 (king c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qd1+ — queen f3→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d8→c8).
4. Best move: Qxc2 — queen d1→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/1pp2pp1/p3qn1p/8/8/1P2PQ2/PBPr1PPP/R2R2K1 b - - 4 17

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