Chess Puzzle #44hjt — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rook h6; bishop e1; pawns f2/f3/h3. Black: king c8; rook a6; bishop c5; pawns a7/c6/e5/f4/g5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra2 — rook a6→a2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc6+ — rook h6→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
3. Best move: Rxc5 — rook c6→c5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move Rxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/p7/r1p4R/2b1p1p1/5p2/5P1P/5P2/4BK2 b - - 0 36

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