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

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rook e1; bishops b3/g5; pawns a6/b2/c2/f2/g2/h4. Black: king e8; queen f5; rooks a8/h7; bishop f8; pawns a7/b7/c6/e5/f6/g4/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxg5 — pawn f6→g5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: axb7 — pawn a6→b7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rb8 (rook a8→b8).
3. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen c4→c6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, capturing the defender, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3kb2/pp5r/P1p2p2/4pqBp/2Q3pP/1B6/1PP2PP1/4R1K1 b q - 0 30

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