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

Position

White: king c1; queen a4; rooks d4/g1; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks b7/f8; knight d7; pawns a7/c4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nb6 — knight d7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc6 — queen a4→c6. Opponent replies Nxd5 (knight b6→d5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxb7 — queen c6→b7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Qc6.

Position data

FEN: 3q1rk1/pr1n1ppp/8/3N4/Q1pR4/5P2/PP3P1P/2K3R1 b - - 0 21

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