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

Position

White: king g3; queen c1; rook c8; pawns a2/b3/d4/f4/h5. Black: king h7; queen e7; rook e2; pawns a7/d5/e6/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa2 — rook e2→a2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rb8 — rook c8→b8. Opponent replies Qd7 (queen e7→d7).
3. Best move: Qc5 — queen c1→c5.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, master, quiet move, short. The key move is Rb8.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/p3q1pk/4p2p/3p1p1P/3P1P2/1P4K1/P3r3/2Q5 b - - 0 40

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