Chess Puzzle #ThGAN — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g5; rook g2; bishop h4; knight f4; pawns a2/b3/c2/f6/h2. Black: king g8; queen b7; rooks a8/f8; bishops d1/g7; knight b6; pawns a7/c5/d4/e6. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg2+ — queen b7→g2, captures rook, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg2 — queen g5→g2, captures queen. Opponent replies Rf7 (rook f8→f7).
3. Best move: Nxe6 — knight f4→e6, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxg2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pq4b1/1n2pP2/2p3Q1/3p1N1B/1P6/P1P3RP/3b2K1 b - - 0 27

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