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

Position

White: king f2; queen e3; rooks a1/f1; knight e2; pawns a3/d4/f3/g4/h4. Black: king g7; queen b2; rooks c2/d7; bishop g6; pawns a5/d5/e6/f6/f7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc3 — rook c2→c3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3 — queen e3→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen b2→c3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/3r1pk1/4ppb1/p2p3p/3P2PP/P3QP2/1qr1NK2/R4R2 b - - 1 26

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