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

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rook f1; pawns b3/d4/f2/f3/h2. Black: king e8; queen a7; rook g7; bishop e7; pawns e6/f7/g5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb8 — queen a7→b8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc6+ — queen c4→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
3. Best move: Ra1 — rook f1→a1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, short. The key move is Qc6+.

Position data

FEN: 4k3/q3bpr1/4p3/6p1/2QP4/1P3P2/5P1P/5RK1 b - - 0 22

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