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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rook a1; bishops c1/f1; knight h4; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e1; rooks a8/e8; bishop g7; knight c5; pawns a5/b7/c7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re2 — rook e8→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe2 — queen c2→e2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxe2 (queen e1→e2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxe2 — bishop f1→e2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/1pp2pbp/6p1/p1n5/7N/2P3P1/PPQ2P1P/R1B1qBK1 b - - 3 18

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