Chess Puzzle #4WvpP — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook e1; knight g3; pawns a2/b2/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook e8; bishop f6; pawns a6/b7/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook e8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: dxc6 — pawn d5→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook d8→d1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd1 — rook e1→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move dxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1p3pp1/p1q1pb1p/3P4/8/6N1/PP3PPP/3QR1K1 b - - 0 21

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