Chess Puzzle #3QkDU — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks b1/d1; pawns a3/c5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks c8/f7; pawns a7/b7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc5 — queen e7→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc5 — queen c4→c5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pp2qr1p/6p1/2P5/2Q5/P6P/5PP1/1R1R2K1 b - - 0 27

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