Chess Puzzle #0DxJQ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f5; rooks c1/e1; knight f3; pawns a3/b4/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks b8/c8; bishop e7; pawns b5/d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen f5→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rr3k1/4bppp/1q1p4/1p1PpQ2/1P6/P4N1P/5PP1/2R1R1K1 b - - 1 21

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