Chess Puzzle #077ho — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook e1; bishop b3; pawns b2/b5/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen d7; rook a8; bishop g6; pawns a6/c6/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re8 — rook a8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen e5→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen d7→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e1→e8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/3q1ppp/p1p3b1/1P1pQ3/8/1BP5/1P3PPP/4R1K1 b - - 0 26

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