Chess Puzzle #1wUxp — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen c3; rook d6; bishop g3; pawns b3/c4/f3/g4/h5. Black: king h7; queen a3; rook e8; bishop c6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf3+ — bishop c6→f3, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf3 — queen c3→f3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qa1+ (queen a3→a1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kc2 — king d1→c2.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, hanging piece, short. The key move Qxf3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/pp3p1k/2bR3p/6pP/2P3P1/qPQ2PB1/8/3K4 b - - 2 39

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