Chess Puzzle #voE4m — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d1; queen c5; rooks e1/g1; bishop b2; pawns a3/b4/f2/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks a8/e8; knight c6; pawns a6/d4/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf2 — queen f4→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6 — queen c5→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Rec8 (rook e8→c8).
3. Best move: Qg2 — queen c6→g2.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, master, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/5pp1/p1n4p/2Q5/1P1p1qP1/P7/1B3P1P/3KR1R1 b - - 3 26

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