Chess Puzzle #CAtUu — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c1; rook f7; knights c3/e2; pawns a2/e4/e5/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen b2; rook d8; bishops b4/c6; pawns c7/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop b4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3 — queen c1→c3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen b2→c3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/2p2Rpp/2b1p3/4P3/1b2P3/2N4P/Pq2N1P1/2Q4K b - - 2 25

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