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

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rooks b1/b4; pawns a4/c3/h2. Black: king b8; queen c7; rooks g6/g8; pawns a7/b7/e6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc8 — king b8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc4 — rook b4→c4. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen c7→c4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen e4→c4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k4r1/ppq4p/4p1r1/8/PR2Q3/2P5/7P/1R5K b - - 4 31

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