Chess Puzzle #62C58 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f2; rook g1; knight e4; pawns a3/b2/c2/d5/f5/g6/h2. Black: king e7; queen f6; rook c4; bishop a8; pawns a4/b3/c7/d6/e5/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2+ — rook c4→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc2 — queen f2→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies bxc2 (pawn b3→c2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxf6 — knight e4→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Qxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: b7/2p1k1p1/3p1qP1/3PpP2/p1r1N3/Pp6/1PP2Q1P/2K3R1 b - - 0 34

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