Chess Puzzle #2TZu8 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rook e1; bishop d2; pawns a3/b2/d4/g2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen a4; rook c8; bishop e4; pawns a7/b6/f5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen a4→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1 — rook e1→c1. Opponent replies Qxc1+ (queen c2→c1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Bxc1 — bishop d2→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p4pp1/1p5p/5p2/q2Pb3/P3Q1PP/1P1B2P1/4R1K1 b - - 10 31

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