Chess Puzzle #8cH9e — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks c1/f1; bishop e2; knights a7/c3; pawns a3/d5/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks c8/f8; bishops d7/g7; knight a6; pawns b7/c5/e7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop g7→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3 — queen b3→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen a5→c3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c1→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/Np1bppbp/n5p1/q1pP4/4P3/PQN2P2/4B1PP/2R2RK1 b - - 0 19

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