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

Position

White: king g2; queen d1; rook c8; pawns d4/e3/f2/g3/h5. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook b3; bishop f8; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook b3→e3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc1 — queen d1→c1. Opponent replies Re2 (rook e3→e2).
3. Best move: Rxf8+ — rook c8→f8, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Rxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2R2bk1/5ppp/4p3/3p3P/3P4/1r2P1P1/q4PK1/3Q4 b - - 8 36

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