Chess Puzzle #3jGl8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks b1/b7; pawns e3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks a5/a8; pawns c4/d5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc5 — queen c7→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b7→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb8 (rook a8→b8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxb8+ — rook b1→b8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1Rq2p1p/6p1/r2p4/2p2P2/2Q1P3/6PP/1R4K1 b - - 1 36

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