Chess Puzzle #41MoH — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook c1; bishop e3; knight f3; pawns a4/d4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen c3; knight c6; pawns a6/c7/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa3 — queen c3→a3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c1→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxa4 (queen a3→a4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rc1 — rook c6→c1.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Rxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/2p2pp1/p1n1p2p/4P3/P2P4/2q1BN2/5PPP/2R3K1 b - - 1 24

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