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

Position

White: king h1; queen c1; rook c7; bishops e3/f5; knight h6; pawns a3/b2/c4/h3. Black: king h8; queen f8; rooks a8/g2; bishop d5; knight h7; pawns b6/b7/e5/f7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2+ — rook g2→c2, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxd5 — pawn c4→d5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxc1+ (rook c2→c1, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Bxc1 — bishop e3→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move cxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4q1k/1pR2p1n/1p5N/3bpB2/2P5/P3B2P/1P4r1/2Q4K b - - 2 35

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