Chess Puzzle #2B60l — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e3; rook e8; bishop d2; knight d1; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f1; rook d6; bishop f8; knight d4; pawns a6/b7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe2 — queen e3→e2, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxe2 (queen f1→e2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe2 — rook e8→e2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4Rbk1/1p3p1p/p2r2p1/8/3n4/4Q2P/PPPB1P2/2KN1q2 b - - 5 26

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