Chess Puzzle #3A65E — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g5; rook c8; bishop d2; pawns f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen b4; bishop g7; knight f8; pawns a6/d4/e6/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb1+ — queen b4→b1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1 — rook c8→c1. Opponent replies Qb7+ (queen b1→b7, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg1 — king h1→g1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, short. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 2R2nk1/6bp/p3p1p1/5pQ1/1q1p4/6P1/3B1P1P/7K b - - 1 37

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