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

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rook c1; bishop f3; pawns c7/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks b6/c8; pawns e6/f7/g6/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook c8→c7, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc7 — queen c4→c7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen d6→c7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c1→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Qxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2P2p2/1r1qp1p1/8/2Q4p/4PBP1/5P1P/2R3K1 b - - 1 31

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