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

Position

White: king g1; queen a5; rook a1; bishops b5/e3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen e5; rook d8; bishop g7; knight g6; pawns a6/b7/e6/f5/g5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd6 — rook d8→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1 — rook a1→c1. Opponent replies Rd4 (rook d6→d4).
3. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop e3→d4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, quiet move, short. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r4/1p4b1/p3p1np/QB2qpp1/8/4B3/PP3PPP/R5K1 b - - 1 23

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