Chess Puzzle #1EaRf — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks c1/c2; bishop f1; knight d4; pawns a2/c3/e4/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks c8/d8; bishop a8; knight f6; pawns a6/b5/d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd4 — pawn e5→d4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxd4 — pawn c3→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxc2 (queen c5→c2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move cxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: b1rr2k1/5ppp/p2p1n2/1pq1p3/3NP3/2PQ1PP1/P1R4P/2R2BK1 b - - 1 23

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