Chess Puzzle #58Xgv — Beginner, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen a5; rooks c1/d1; bishops a3/e2; knights a4/d4; pawns a2/b3/e3/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks c7/c8; bishops d5/g7; knights d7/e4; pawns a7/c5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxd4 — pawn c5→d4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c1→c7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c8→c7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc7 — queen a5→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p1rn1pbp/4pqp1/Q1pb4/N2Nn3/BP2PPP1/P3B2P/2RR2K1 b - - 0 21

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