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

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rooks c1/f1; knight e2; pawns a6/d4/e3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks c2/e4; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/f6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc1 — rook c2→c1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc1 — rook f1→c1, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxd4 (knight c6→d4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: exd4 — pawn e3→d4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p1q2pp1/Ppn2p1p/1Q6/3Pr1P1/4P2P/2r1NP2/2R2RK1 b - - 5 24

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