Chess Puzzle #0q4um — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king a3; queen c8; rook a5; pawns a4/b2. Black: king f5; queen c4; rook e6; pawns c5/f7/g6/h4. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h3 — pawn h4→h3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc5+ — rook a5→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc5+ (queen c4→c5, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen c8→c5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move Rxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2Q5/5p2/4r1p1/R1p2k2/P1q4p/K7/1P6/8 b - - 11 41

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