Chess Puzzle #sX1QD — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g3; rook e3; knight d4; pawns a4/b4/c3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g7; queen b6; rook c8; bishop e6; knight g6; pawns a6/b7/f6/f7/h5. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc7 — queen b6→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc7 — queen g3→c7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook c8→c7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe6 — rook e3→e6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/1p3pk1/pq2bpn1/7p/PP1N3P/2P1R1Q1/5PP1/6K1 b - - 2 30

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