Chess Puzzle #BUDXR — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen h4; rook d4; pawns e5/f3/g2/h6. Black: king g8; queen f8; rook a5; pawns b5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8 — rook d4→d8. Opponent replies Rd5 (rook a5→d5).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook d8→f8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5qk1/5p1p/4p1pP/rp2P3/3R3Q/5P2/6PK/8 b - - 10 38

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