Chess Puzzle #4sahO — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rooks c1/f1; pawns a2/b3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a6; rook f8; bishop e6; pawns d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf2 — rook f1→f2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc8 — rook f8→c8. Opponent replies Qxc8+ (queen c7→c8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Bxc8 — bishop e6→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, master, short. The key move is Rc8.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2Q2ppp/q2pb3/4p3/8/1P3P2/P5PP/2R2R1K w - - 8 25

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