Chess Puzzle #4AF5N — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook b1; bishop d2; knight d4; pawns a2/c3/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook c8; bishop g7; knight f6; pawns a4/a6/d7/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc4 — queen c7→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc4 — queen e2→c4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc4 (rook c8→c4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook b1→b8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/2qpppbp/p4np1/8/p2NP3/2P5/P2BQPPP/1R4K1 b - - 1 19

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