Chess Puzzle #850A5 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c5; rook d1; knight f3; pawns b4/c2/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen a3; rook e6; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/c4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb4 — queen a3→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qf5+ — queen c5→f5, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/p1n1r2p/1pQ5/1Pp5/q4NPP/2P2PK1/3R4 b - - 1 27

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