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

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rook b5; bishop e3; pawns c3/d6/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks a3/e4; pawns d5/e6/g6/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook a3→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b5→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qf3 — queen g3→f3. Opponent replies Qd7 (queen f7→d7).
4. Best move: Qf8 — queen f3→f8.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Rb8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5qp1/3Pp1p1/1R1p3p/4r3/r1P1B1QP/5PP1/6K1 b - - 0 34

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