Chess Puzzle #j1ZAr — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishop e2; knight g1; pawns a3/c2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c3; rooks a8/g8; bishop a4; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc2 — queen c3→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc2 — queen d1→c2, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxc2 (bishop a4→c2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rc1 — rook a1→c1. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
4. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c1→c2, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rn2k1r1/pp3p1p/4p3/3pP3/b7/P1q5/2P1BPPP/R2Q1KNR b q - 0 14

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