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

Position

White: king g1; queen c1; rook f3; knight g5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rook a8; bishop b6; pawns a6/c7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook a8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc4+ — queen c1→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Rxf8 — rook f3→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move is Qc4+.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/2p5/pb4p1/4q1Np/8/5RP1/PP3P2/2Q3K1 b - - 0 32

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