Chess Puzzle #sRric — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; rooks c1/e1; bishop d2; knight c3; pawns a4/b2/b3/d3/f6/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d7; rook c8; bishop b6; pawns a6/b7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf6 — pawn g7→f6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen d7→d5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxc8+ — rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

deflection, discovered attack, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Rxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1p1q1ppp/pb3P2/3p4/P7/1PNP3P/1P1B2P1/2R1R2K b - - 0 24

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