Chess Puzzle #o272C — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks b7/d8; pawns c4/f2/g5/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rooks a4/f8; pawns c5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra1+ — rook a4→a1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kg2 — king g1→g2. Opponent replies Rg1+ (rook a1→g1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxg1 — king g2→g1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qc1+ (queen c2→c1, gives check).
4. Best move: Rd1 — rook d8→d1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Kg2.

Position data

FEN: 3R1rk1/1R3ppp/8/2p3P1/r1P5/5Q2/2q2P1P/6K1 b - - 1 26

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