Chess Puzzle #0Svc3 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks c1/c8; pawns a2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king h8; queen d2; rooks d5/f8; pawns a6/b5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc8 — rook f8→c8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d5→d8).
3. Best move: Qxd2 — queen e3→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2R2r1k/6p1/p6p/1p1r4/8/4QP2/P2q1P1P/2R3K1 b - - 1 26

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