Chess Puzzle #9ETts — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rook c1; knight f3; pawns a2/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook d8; bishop c7; knight c3; pawns a6/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf6 — queen c6→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb3+ — queen c2→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Nd5 (knight c3→d5).
3. Best move: Rxc7 — rook c1→c7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Qb3+.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/2b3pp/p1q5/5p2/8/2n1PN1P/P1Q2PP1/2R3K1 b - - 1 28

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