Chess Puzzle #1IDrU — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e3; rooks c1/h1; knight d3; pawns a2/b2/f4/g4/h5. Black: king g7; queen b5; rooks c2/c8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b6/e6/f6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ba3 — bishop d6→a3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook c8→c2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Kxc2 — king b1→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/p4pk1/1p1bpp1p/1q5P/5PP1/3NQ3/PPr5/1KR4R b - - 2 29

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