Chess Puzzle #0rIa4 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c4; rooks d1/h1; bishops e2/h6; pawns a2/b2/c2/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e4; bishop b4; pawns a5/b7/c7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook e4→c4, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook a8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bxc4 — bishop e2→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q2k1/1pp2p1p/6pB/p7/1bQ1r1P1/8/PPP1B2P/2KR3R b - - 0 19

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