Chess Puzzle #LH2bc — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a4; rooks a1/h1; bishop f1; knight a7; pawns a2/b2/c5/d4/f2/f3/h2. Black: king e8; queen f6; rooks c8/h8; bishop f8; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen f6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen a4→d4, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxd4 (knight c6→d4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxc8 — knight a7→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2r1kb1r/Np3pp1/p1n1pq1p/2Pp4/Q2P4/5P2/PP3P1P/R3KB1R b KQk - 1 13

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