Chess Puzzle #TpNKr — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen b7; rooks d1/h1; bishop e2; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/g2/h3. Black: king d7; queen c2; rooks d8/h8; bishops d2/e6; knight a6; pawns c7/e5/f5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc5 — knight a6→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc7+ — queen b7→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king d7→e8).
3. Best move: Qxg7 — queen c7→g7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short, skewer. The key move Qxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/1Qpk2pp/n3b3/1N2pp2/8/7P/PPqbB1P1/3R1K1R b - - 0 21

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