Chess Puzzle #12xot — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen f3; bishop g2; pawns c4/g4. Black: king g8; queen c2; pawns a5/b6/c5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a5→a4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen f3→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Be4+ — bishop g2→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe4 (queen c2→e4, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen a8→e4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/1p2p2p/p1p5/2P3P1/5Q1K/2q3B1/8 b - - 0 36

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