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

Position

White: king h1; queen b5; rooks b1/e6; bishop a1; knight f5; pawns a2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f2; rooks d8/e8; bishop c5; pawns a7/b6/c7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf5 — queen f2→f5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8+ — rook e6→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook d8→e8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen b5→e8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Rxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/p1p2ppp/1p2R3/1Qb2N2/8/8/P4qPP/BR5K b - - 1 23

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