Chess Puzzle #3c9vR — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rook c1; pawns b2/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook a2; pawns b6/c7/d6/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook a2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c1→c7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen d8→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc7 — queen b7→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/1Qp3pp/1p1p4/3Pp3/8/7P/rP3PP1/2R3K1 b - - 0 25

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