Chess Puzzle #MCsT3 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; rooks a7/f1; pawns c2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks c8/f8; pawns e5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc2 — queen a2→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f1→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qd1+ (queen c2→d1, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxd1 — queen d7→d1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/R2Q1pp1/7p/4p3/8/7P/q1P3P1/5R1K b - - 0 24

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