Chess Puzzle #22l0C — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks c1/c3; bishop g2; knight f3; pawns a2/d4/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks c7/f8; bishop b7; knight a5; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfc8 — rook f8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c3→c7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c8→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c1→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pbr1qppp/1p2p3/n7/Q2P4/2R1PNP1/P4PBP/2R3K1 b - - 10 20

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