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

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks f1/g3; pawns c3/c4/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen d8; rooks e6/f8; pawns a5/c5/d6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb8 — queen d8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7+ — rook f1→f7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook f8→f7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb8 — queen b7→b8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move Rxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3q1r2/1Q3pk1/3pr1p1/p1p5/2P5/2P3RP/6P1/5RK1 b - - 0 51

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