Chess Puzzle #1BehR — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop e3; pawns a3/b2/c3/f2/f3/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop e5; pawns a7/b7/c4/d5/g6/g7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh4 — queen d8→h4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd5+ — queen d1→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qxe5 — queen d5→e5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/pp4p1/6p1/3pb3/2p5/P1P1BP1P/1P3P2/R2Q1RK1 b - - 0 18

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