Chess Puzzle #3UpDv — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g7; rook c2; bishop g6; pawns b3/d4/e5/g2/g4. Black: king d8; queen a3; rook f8; bishop e8; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe7 — queen a3→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc8+ — rook c2→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc8 (king d8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe7 — queen g7→e7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 3kbr2/1p4Q1/p3p1Bp/3pP3/3P2P1/qP6/2R3P1/6K1 b - - 2 35

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