Chess Puzzle #1zCcE — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen c3; rook d2; pawns a4/b3/e3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rook c8; pawns a6/c5/e6/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook c8→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd7 — rook d2→d7. Opponent replies e5 (pawn e6→e5).
3. Best move: Qxe5 — queen c3→e5, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Rd7.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/6p1/pq2p2p/2p2p2/P4P2/1PQ1P1P1/3R1K1P/8 b - - 0 40

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