Chess Puzzle #8QS1r — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a1; queen b5; rooks c1/e1; bishop f4; knights b4/f3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks c8/f8; bishops f5/g7; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/d6/e6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb4 — knight c6→b4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd7 — queen b5→d7, captures queen. Opponent replies Nc2+ (knight b4→c2, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxd7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/p2q1pb1/1pnpp1pp/1Q3b2/1N3B2/5N2/PP3PPP/K1R1R3 b - - 1 20

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