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

Position

White: king f2; queen b5; rooks d7/e3; pawns a2/c3/d4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a8; rook d8; bishops d6/e4; pawns a4/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc6 — bishop e4→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d7→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen a8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc6 — queen b5→c6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: q2r2k1/3R1pp1/3b3p/1Q6/p2Pb3/2P1R1P1/P4K1P/8 b - - 2 44

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