Chess Puzzle #4pJYv — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks c1/f1; bishop g3; pawns a3/b2/d4/f2/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen f3; rooks c8/d8; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8 — rook c1→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook d8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d2→d4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2rr2k1/5pp1/p1n1p3/1p4Pp/3P3P/P4qB1/1P1Q1P2/2R2RK1 b - - 1 25

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