Chess Puzzle #BrYbc — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a7/c7; pawns a3/e5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks c8/f8; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb5 — queen a6→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8 — rook c7→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qb1+ (queen b5→b1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg2 — king g1→g2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, master, short. The key move Rxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/R1R2pp1/q3p2p/3pP3/8/P4QP1/5P1P/6K1 b - - 8 31

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