Chess Puzzle #208ND — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h4; queen g2; rooks c1/c2; pawns a2/g3. Black: king c8; queen c3; rooks c4/h8; pawns a7/b7/e6/f5/g4/h6. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc2 — queen c3→c2, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc2 (rook c4→c2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen g2→c2, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Qxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/pp6/4p2p/5p2/2r3pK/2q3P1/P1R3Q1/2R5 b - - 3 40

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