Chess Puzzle #2C3ZV — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen c2; rooks d1/d6; pawns b2/c4/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks c8/f6; pawns a4/b4/b6/e6/f5/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc4 — queen c6→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d6→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rf8 (rook f6→f8).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook d8→f8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, master, short. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/7p/1pqRpr2/5p2/ppP5/4P1P1/1PQ2P1P/1K1R4 b - - 1 27

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