Chess Puzzle #7o6Et — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c5; rooks d1/f1; pawns c2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook d8; bishop d5; pawns a6/b7/e6/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc2 — queen a2→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c4 — pawn c3→c4. Opponent replies Re8 (rook d8→e8).
3. Best move: Rc1 — rook d1→c1.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move is c4.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1p4pp/p3pp2/2Qb4/8/2P5/q1P2PPP/3R1RK1 b - - 1 24

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