Chess Puzzle #5EZDJ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; queen f5; rook c8; pawns a3/b4/f2/g5. Black: king e8; rooks g1/h8; bishop d8; knight g4; pawns a6/b7/e4/g7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook h8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook c8→d8, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd8 (king e8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen f5→f8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2Rbk2r/1p4p1/p7/5QP1/1P2pKn1/P7/5P2/6r1 b - - 2 33

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