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

Position

White: king h2; queen f5; rook a1; bishop e2; knight e5; pawns a3/d4/e3/g2. Black: king g7; queen c7; rooks a8/h6; bishop d6; pawns b5/c6/d5/h4. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook a8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qg5+ — queen f5→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g7→h8).
3. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen g5→h6, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, middlegame, short. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/2q3k1/2pb3r/1p1pNQ2/3P3p/P3P3/4B1PK/R7 b - - 0 39

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