Chess Puzzle #o5cfM — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks a1/e1; knight d4; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen b6; rooks d8/h8; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/e6/g5/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: cxd4 — pawn c3→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd4+ (queen b6→d4, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move cxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/1p6/pq2pnQp/6p1/3N4/2P5/PP4PP/R3R1K1 b - - 0 24

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