Chess Puzzle #5tYcp — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks d1/d2; knight e4; pawns b2/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h6; rooks d8/e7; bishop d6; knight c6; pawns f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc7 — bishop d6→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d2→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop c7→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rd6 — rook d1→d6.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/4rppp/2nb3q/8/4N3/2Q1P2P/1P1R1PP1/3R2K1 b - - 2 25

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