Chess Puzzle #1pD5v — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks b1/f1; pawns a3/b2/c2/d3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen d2; rooks f7/f8; pawns a6/b7/c7/d4/d6/e5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf2 — rook f7→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd2 — queen d1→d2, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd2 (rook f2→d2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook f1→f8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/1pp2rp1/p2p3p/4p3/3pP3/P2P3P/1PPq1PP1/1R1Q1RK1 b - - 3 23

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