Chess Puzzle #5Pg5r — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b6; rook d1; pawns a2/b3/d6/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen d7; rook c8; pawns a4/c5/e6/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook c8→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6 — queen b6→c6, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen d7→c6, captures queen).
3. Best move: d7 — pawn d6→d7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, sacrifice, short. The key move Qxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/3q1k1p/1Q1Pppp1/2p5/p7/1P6/P5PP/3R3K b - - 0 29

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