Chess Puzzle #17Gnn — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rooks a1/e1; pawns a3/b2/c2/e5/f2/g3/h4. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks c8/h8; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc2 — rook c8→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen d4→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Qd7 (queen d8→d7).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen a4→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, master, short. The key move is Qa4+.

Position data

FEN: 2rqk2r/p4pp1/1p2p3/3pP2p/3Q3P/P5P1/1PP2P2/R3R1K1 b k - 0 17

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