Chess Puzzle #32OKQ — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d3; rook c1; pawns a4/b3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen b7; rook b8; pawns d4/e5/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb3 — queen b7→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c1→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook b8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb3 — queen d3→b3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Rc8+.

Position data

FEN: 1r5k/1q4p1/5p1p/4p3/P2p4/1P1Q1P1P/6PK/2R5 b - - 3 39

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