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

Position

White: king g1; rooks b8/c1; bishop g2; knight f4; pawns a2/d4/e3/f2/g3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rook h7; bishop c8; knight d6; pawns a7/d5/e6/f5/g4. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb7 — rook h7→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rcxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc8 (knight d6→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxb7 — rook b8→b7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

deflection, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rcxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1Rb3k1/p6r/3npq2/3p1p2/3P1Np1/4P1P1/P4PB1/2R3K1 b - - 1 27

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