Chess Puzzle #m3mze — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen f6; rook d2; pawns d7/f5/h3. Black: king g8; queen f8; rook d8; pawns a2/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd7 — rook d8→d7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d2→d7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen f8→e8).
3. Best move: Ra7 — rook d7→a7.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, hanging piece, short. The key move Rxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1qk1/3P1p1p/5Qp1/5P2/8/7P/p2R4/3K4 b - - 1 40

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