Chess Puzzle #2kFg9 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook d1; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook c8; bishop g7; pawns a7/b7/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen c7→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen e2→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/ppq2pbp/5p2/8/8/1P2P1P1/P3QP1P/3R2K1 b - - 0 26

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