Chess Puzzle #0PjGX — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop g3; pawns a4/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f5; rooks a8/f8; bishop c5; pawns a6/b4/e6/f6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e5 — pawn e6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc4+ — queen e2→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Qxc5 — queen c4→c5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Qc4+.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/6pp/p3pp2/2b2q2/Pp6/6B1/1PP1QPPP/R4RK1 b - - 1 19

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