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

Position

White: king g2; queen d4; rook d5; pawns a4/b3/c3/f4/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook c8; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen c6→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d5→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc3 — queen d4→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, master, short. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/pp3p1p/2q3p1/3R4/P2Q1PP1/1PP4P/6K1/8 b - - 0 26

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