Chess Puzzle #Eu2ei — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen c3; rooks c2/g1; pawns a2/d5/e4/f3/g2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks f8/h2; pawns a7/c5/d6/g4/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen e5→c3, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c2→c3, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxf3+ (rook f8→f3, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxf3 — rook c3→f3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Rxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p6p/3p4/2pPq3/4P1p1/2Q2P2/P1R2KPr/6R1 b - - 1 35

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