Chess Puzzle #GDLc3 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen e4; rook c6; knight c4; pawns d6/e3/f2/f4/h2. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks a8/d8; pawns a5/b4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rac8 — rook a8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc8 — rook c6→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc8 (rook d8→c8, captures rook).
3. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, master, master vs master, short. The key move Rxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/5ppp/2RP4/p7/1pN1QP2/4P3/q4PKP/8 b - - 1 28

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