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

Position

White: king h3; queen d6; rook f2; knights c3/d1; pawns a4/c5/d4/e3/g3/h4. Black: king g7; queen d3; rooks c7/e7; bishop f6; pawns a5/c6/d5/f5/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb7 — rook c7→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6 — queen d6→c6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rb3 (rook b7→b3).
3. Best move: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rf7 (rook e7→f7).
4. Best move: Nxf6 — knight d5→f6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, equality, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/2r1r1k1/2pQ1bp1/p1Pp1p1p/P2P3P/2NqP1PK/5R2/3N4 b - - 21 52

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