Chess Puzzle #0cKe8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks c1/f1; bishop d4; pawns b2/b3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/c8; bishop h7; pawns a6/b5/e6/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd5 — queen d6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook a8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b7→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r1r3k1/1Q4pb/p2qpp1p/1p6/3B4/1P2P3/1P3PPP/2R2RK1 b - - 5 31

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