Chess Puzzle #03j2L — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g6; rooks e1/h3; pawns a2/b2/c4/e3/f4/h2. Black: king h8; queen e7; rook e8; knights d5/g7; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4+ — queen e7→e4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4 — queen g6→e4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe4 (rook e8→e4, captures queen).
3. Best move: cxd5 — pawn c4→d5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/p1p1q1np/1p1p2Q1/3n4/2P2P2/4P2R/PP5P/4R2K b - - 0 31

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