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

Position

White: king b2; queen d3; rooks d1/e2; knight d6; pawns a2/b3/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f5; rooks c4/c8; bishop a6; pawns a7/d4/e5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2+ — rook c4→c2, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxc2 — rook e2→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc2+ (rook c8→c2, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen d3→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p5p1/b2N3p/4pq2/2rp4/1P1Q1P1P/PK2R1P1/3R4 b - - 1 40

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