Chess Puzzle #2SQwW — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rook f1; bishops a6/e3; knight c7; pawns b2/c2/f4/h3. Black: king d8; queen b7; rook h8; bishops e7/g2; knight d7; pawns e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen b7→c7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc7+ — queen d6→c7, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc7 (king d8→c7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Kxg2 — king g1→g2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3k3r/1qNnbppp/B2Qp3/8/5P2/4B2P/1PP3b1/5RK1 b - - 3 18

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