Chess Puzzle #1cJ8l — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rook d1; bishop f1; knight e4; pawns d7/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a7; rook a8; bishop e8; knight g6; pawns b5/c4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4+ — queen a7→d4, captures queen, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d1→d4, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxd7 (bishop e8→d7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d4→d7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r3b1k1/q2P1pp1/6np/1p6/2pQN3/5P2/6PP/3R1BK1 b - - 0 37

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