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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; knight f1; pawns b5/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e1; knight c4; pawns a7/d5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd2 — knight c4→d2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd2 — queen d3→d2, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd2 (queen e1→d2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxd2 — knight f1→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Qxd2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p4pp1/7p/1P1p4/2n5/2PQ3P/5PP1/4qNK1 b - - 1 33

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