Chess Puzzle #0RIeQ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rook c7; bishop d4; knight f3; pawns a3/b4/d3/e2/f4/g4/h4. Black: king g8; queen a8; rook c8; bishops b7/f6; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd4+ — bishop f6→d4, captures bishop, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight f3→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qb8 (queen a8→b8).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c7→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: q1r3k1/1bR2pp1/p3pb1p/1p6/1P1B1PPP/P2P1N2/2Q1P3/6K1 b - - 0 27

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