Chess Puzzle #1i9MX — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks a1/c1; bishop d6; pawns a4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen c8; rooks c6/f8; bishop c5; pawns a5/e6/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd6 — bishop c5→d6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6 — queen c4→c6, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen c8→c6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c1→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2q2r1k/6pp/2rBpp2/p1b5/P1Q5/4P3/5PPP/R1R3K1 b - - 4 27

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