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

Position

White: king e1; queen b4; rooks d1/h1; bishop h6; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a6/g5; knights a5/d6; pawns b7/e7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb5 — rook g5→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb5 — queen b4→b5, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxb5 (knight d6→b5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3q2k1/1p2p2p/r2n2pB/n5r1/1Q6/2P1P3/PP3PPP/3RK2R b K - 1 21

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