Chess Puzzle #973ox — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen d6; rook c1; bishop e2; pawns a4/b2/d4/h3. Black: king a8; queen h7; rook e8; knight f4; pawns b7/g5/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe2 — knight f4→e2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc5 — rook c1→c5. Opponent replies Qd3 (queen h7→d3).
3. Best move: Ra5+ — rook c5→a5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Rc5.

Position data

FEN: k3r3/1p5q/3Q4/6p1/P2P1n1p/7P/1P2B3/K1R5 b - - 0 45

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