Chess Puzzle #A44uj — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g3; queen g5; rook c3; pawns a3/b2/d5/g2/h4. Black: king g7; queen h1; rook f1; pawns b5/d6/e5/e7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf6 — rook f1→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1 — rook c3→c1. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen h1→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc1 — queen g5→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/4p1k1/3p2p1/1p1Pp1Qp/7P/P1R3K1/1P4P1/5r1q b - - 8 34

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