Chess Puzzle #15WxS — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b6; rook d8; pawns c6/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook f8; pawns b5/f6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb1+ — queen f5→b1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kh2 — king g1→h2. Opponent replies Rxd8 (rook f8→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen b6→d8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, short. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3R1rk1/5pp1/1QP2p1p/1p3q2/8/6P1/6P1/6K1 b - - 4 43

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