Chess Puzzle #0bVpz — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rook a1; bishop h3; knight e3; pawns a2/c3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen c6; rook c8; bishops d5/f8; pawns a5/e5/f6/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc3 — queen c6→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc8 — queen g4→c8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxa1+ (queen c3→a1, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Bf1 — bishop h3→f1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, master, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxc8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2b1k/5p1p/2q2p2/p2bp3/6Q1/2P1N1PB/P4P1P/R5K1 b - - 3 28

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