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

Position

White: king d1; queen a4; rook g1; bishop b2; pawns a3/c2/d3/e4/f6/g5. Black: king d7; queen f7; rook h8; bishop d6; knight f4; pawns d4/e5/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd8 — king d7→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen a4→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king d8→d7).
3. Best move: Qxh8 — queen a8→h8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short, skewer. The key move is Qa8+.

Position data

FEN: 7r/3k1q2/3b1Pp1/4p1P1/Q2pPn2/P2P4/1BP5/3K2R1 b - - 0 43

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