Chess Puzzle #NLtNf — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rook e1; pawns d7/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook f6; bishop f7; pawns a6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rc1 — rook e1→c1. Opponent replies Be6 (bishop f7→e6).
3. Best move: Rc8 — rook c1→c8.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, master, pin, quiet move, short. The key move is Rc1.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/3P1b1p/p4rp1/8/3Q3P/6P1/8/4R1K1 b - - 0 42

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