Chess Puzzle #sHJt7 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/c7; pawns a7/g3/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/f8; pawns c5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfc8 — rook f8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c7→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook a8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rb1 — rook c1→b1. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
4. Best move: Rb8 — rook b1→b8.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, quiet move, rook endgame. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/P1R2p1p/4p1p1/2p5/8/6P1/7P/2R3K1 b - - 4 29

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