Chess Puzzle #1tN8e — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks c1/c2; knight d3; pawns a4/b5/d5/e4. Black: king g8; queen h3; bishop g3; pawns a7/b7/d6/e5/f3. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg4 — queen h3→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc8 (queen g4→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp6/3p4/1P1Pp3/P3P3/3N1pbq/2R5/2R3K1 b - - 5 42

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