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

Position

White: king g1; queen f5; rook c1; knights a4/h5; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f8; queen e7; rooks a8/d8; bishop b6; pawns a7/b7/d5/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rac8 — rook a8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8 — rook c1→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook d8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen f5→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2r1k2/pp2qp1p/1b6/3p1Q1N/N7/1P2P1P1/P4P1P/2R3K1 b - - 0 23

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