Chess Puzzle #8ONCf — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g3; rooks b1/d1; bishop c5; pawns a2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks a8/e4; bishop d5; pawns a7/c6/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg4 — rook e4→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b1→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Qc8 (queen a6→c8).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook b8→c8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p6p/q1p3p1/2Bb1p2/4r3/2P3Q1/P5PP/1R1R3K b - - 3 23

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