Chess Puzzle #1xqh6 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/d6; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h4. Black: king e8; rooks d8/h8; bishop d7; knight e6; pawns a7/f6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb5 — bishop d7→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d6→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight e6→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nd6+ — knight e4→d6, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3rk2r/p2b1ppp/3Rnp2/8/4N2P/8/PPP2PP1/2KR4 b k - 0 21

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