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

Position

White: king a2; queen d2; rook c2; knight a4; pawns b2/d4/e5/f3/g2/h6. Black: king h8; queen f1; rooks b5/b8; pawns a7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg8 — king h8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1 — rook c2→c1. Opponent replies Rxb2+ (rook b5→b2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxb2 — knight a4→b2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qa6+ (queen f1→a6, gives check).
4. Best move: Kb1 — king a2→b1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long, master. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/p4p1p/4p1pP/1r2P3/N2P4/5P2/KPRQ2P1/5q2 b - - 8 41

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