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

Position

White: king d5; queen g6; pawns a4/b3/b5/d6/f3/f5. Black: king h8; rooks d7/d8; bishop g7; pawn a5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd6+ — rook d7→d6, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd6 — queen g6→d6, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxd6+ (rook d8→d6, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxd6 — king d5→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move Qxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/3r2b1/3P2Q1/pP1K1P2/P7/1P3P2/8/8 b - - 2 50

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