Chess Puzzle #IPISf — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c5; rooks d1/h1; bishop e3; knight c3; pawns b2/c2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks a8/f8; bishop g7; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rfc8 — rook f8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook c8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc4 — queen c5→c4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Rd8+.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp2ppbp/6p1/2Q5/2q2Pn1/2N1B3/1PP3PP/2KR3R b - - 8 19

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