Chess Puzzle #ITMtM — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rook f1; bishop d2; knight b5; pawns c4/f2/g3/h3. Black: king h8; queen a6; rook f8; bishop a1; knights d7/e5; pawns c5/f5/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen a6→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6 — queen d5→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxc6 (knight e5→c6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxa1 — rook f1→a1, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/3n3p/q5p1/1NpQnp2/2P5/6PP/3B1P2/b4RK1 b - - 4 28

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