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

Position

White: king h2; queen d4; rooks c1/d1; pawns a2/b3/e5/f4/g2/h4. Black: king g7; queen b5; rooks c8/f8; pawns a7/b6/e6/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook c8→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Opponent replies Qxb3 (queen b5→b3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c1→c6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is a4.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r2/p4pk1/1p2p1p1/1q2P2p/3Q1P1P/1P6/P5PK/2RR4 b - - 1 22

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