Chess Puzzle #INI9X — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rook c1; bishop h2; knight e5; pawns b2/d4/e3/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks a8/f3; bishop f2; pawns a7/c4/d5/e4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook f3→e3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2 — queen c2→f2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rf3 (rook e3→f3).
3. Best move: Nxf3 — knight e5→f3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p5pp/q7/3pN3/2pPp1P1/4Pr1P/1PQ2b1B/2R4K b - - 3 32

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