Chess Puzzle #2Lqty — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks c1/d1; bishop f2; knight b5; pawns a2/c3/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks c8/f8; bishop e5; knight c4; pawns a7/b6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfd8 — rook f8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc4 — queen b3→c4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/p4p1p/1p4p1/qN2b3/2n1P3/1QP5/P4BPP/2RR2K1 b - - 1 20

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