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

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rook d2; bishop g2; pawns g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen b4; rook b8; bishop e6; pawns a5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen b4→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d2→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook b8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb6 — queen c7→b6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/2Q2pp1/4b2p/p7/1q6/6PP/3R2B1/7K b - - 3 38

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