Chess Puzzle #56Nu2 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c4; knight e1; pawns a3/c2/f4/g4/h3. Black: king g7; rooks d1/e8; knight g3; pawns a7/e3/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe1 — rook d1→e1, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen c4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g7→f7).
3. Best move: Qxe1 — queen c3→e1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Qc3+.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/p5kp/6p1/8/2Q2PP1/P3p1nP/2P3K1/3rN3 b - - 6 36

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