Chess Puzzle #2Sptx — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; rooks f8/g6; pawns a2/c3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king e6; rooks d6/e7; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/c5/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd5 — king e6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c4+ — pawn c3→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc4 (king d5→c4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxd6 — rook g6→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is c4+.

Position data

FEN: 5R2/p3r3/1pnrk1R1/2p4p/7P/2P5/P4PPK/8 b - - 0 43

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