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

Position

White: king g1; queen h2; rooks c1/f1; pawns c4/e3/f2/g2. Black: king b6; queen f5; rooks g8/h8; pawns b5/c6/e4/h4. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b4 — pawn b5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c5+ — pawn c4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb7 (king b6→b7).
3. Best move: Rc4 — rook c1→c4.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, endgame, short. The key move is c5+.

Position data

FEN: 6rr/8/1kp5/1p3q2/2P1p2p/4P3/5PPQ/2R2RK1 b - - 0 35

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