Chess Puzzle #xvt2k — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h5; queen g4; rook f4; pawns a2/b2/d6/h2. Black: king e5; queen e1; rook e3; pawns a7/b7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxd6 — king e5→d6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rd4+ — rook f4→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc5 (king d6→c5).
3. Best move: b4+ — pawn b2→b4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Rd4+.

Position data

FEN: 8/pp6/3P3p/4k2K/5RQ1/4r3/PP5P/4q3 b - - 8 42

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