Chess Puzzle #1bPe3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen b3; rooks d1/h1; bishop c1; knight d4; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h4. Black: king h8; queen a4; rooks c8/e8; bishop f8; knight d5; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen a4→d4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d1→d4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc1+ (rook c8→c1, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Rd1 — rook d4→d1.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r1rb1k/p4ppp/8/3n4/q2N3P/1Q6/PP3PP1/2BR1K1R b - - 4 27

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