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

Position

White: king e2; queen c3; rooks a1/e3; bishop d3; pawns a3/b4/c4/d5/f2/f3. Black: king h8; queen f4; rooks c8/g1; bishop h2; pawns a7/c5/e6/f6/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd4 — queen f4→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen c3→d4, captures queen. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c5→d4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxg1 — rook a1→g1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r4k/p4p1p/4pp2/2pP4/1PP2q2/P1QBRP2/4KP1b/R5r1 b - - 6 24

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