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

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks c8/f1; knight e3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks d4/d8; knight f4; pawns a7/e6/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd7 — rook d4→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd7 — queen b7→d7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook d8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen d7→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2Rr2k1/pQ4p1/4p2p/5pq1/3r1n2/4N3/PP3PPP/5RK1 b - - 2 22

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