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

Position

White: king g1; queen e3; rooks d1/f2; bishop a2; knight g3; pawns a3/b2/c3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e7; rooks c5/f8; bishops a6/f6; pawns a4/c6/c7/e4/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook f8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen e7→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc5 — queen e3→c5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/2p1q2p/b1p2bp1/2r2p2/p3pP2/P1P1Q1N1/BP3RPP/3R2K1 b - - 6 23

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