Chess Puzzle #5CKNx — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen e3; rooks d1/h1; bishop b3; knights c3/e1; pawns c2/d4/f2/g2/h6. Black: king e8; queen b2; rooks c8/h8; bishop d7; knights b4/e7; pawns a7/e4/e6/f6/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3 — queen e3→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc3+ (queen b2→c3, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxc3 — king d2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r1k2r/p2bn3/4pppP/8/1n1Pp3/1BN1Q3/1qPK1PP1/3RN2R b k - 2 22

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