Chess Puzzle #9qrKl — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/c1; bishop f4; knights d2/f3; pawns a4/c3/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/c8; bishops d7/e7; knight f6; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa4 — bishop d7→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxa4 — rook a1→a4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxa4 (rook a8→a4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxa4 — queen c2→a4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1r3k1/3bbpp1/1q2pn1p/3p4/P2P1B2/2P2N1P/2QN1PP1/R1R3K1 b - - 0 19

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