Chess Puzzle #18317 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e7; bishop b2; pawns a2/b4/g3/h2. Black: king d5; queen f3; rooks c8/d8; pawns b5/c6/e4/g4. Black is ahead by 7 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: e3 — pawn e4→e3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe5+ — queen e7→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc4 (king d5→c4).
3. Best move: Qc3+ — queen e5→c3, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move is Qe5+.

Position data

FEN: 2rr4/4Q3/2p5/1p1k4/1P2p1p1/5qP1/PB5P/6K1 b - - 0 44

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