Chess Puzzle #F6GHa — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rook c1; bishop d3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook a8; knight d6; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook a8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen c2→c8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nxc8 (knight d6→c8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p3qpp1/1p1np2p/3p4/3P4/3BP3/PPQ2PPP/2R3K1 b - - 4 21

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