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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook c4; pawns a3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen b2; rook f8; bishop a8; pawns a6/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f7→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc7+ — rook c4→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Qd7 — queen d3→d7. Opponent replies Qa1+ (queen b2→a1, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move is Rc7+.

Position data

FEN: b4r2/5p1k/p3p2p/8/2R5/P2Q3P/1q3PP1/6K1 b - - 1 34

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