Chess Puzzle #23gW9 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks d1/g5; bishop c4; pawns a2/b2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen c6; rooks d8/g8; bishop b7; pawns a6/e6/f3/f7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc4 — queen c6→c4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa3+ — queen e3→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
3. Best move: Rxg8+ — rook g5→g8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, middlegame, short. The key move Rxg8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1kr1/1b3p2/p1q1p3/3P2R1/2B5/4Qp2/PP4PP/3R2K1 b - - 0 32

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