Chess Puzzle #72cm6 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f6; rook d1; pawns a3/b2/b4/e5/h3. Black: king f8; queen c7; rook c5; pawns a7/b5/d4/e6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook c5→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1 — rook d1→c1. Opponent replies Qxc1+ (queen c7→c1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxc1 — king b1→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/p1q2p2/4pQp1/1pr1P3/1P1p4/P6P/1P6/1K1R4 b - - 0 39

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