Chess Puzzle #1Kt2H — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen c2; rooks a1/g8; bishop b1; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/h2. Black: king f8; queen d8; rooks c8/e5; knight e3; pawns a7/b6/c5/f7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxg8 — king f8→g8, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh7+ — queen c2→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
4. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen h8→e5, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rq1kR1/p4p2/1p5p/2p1r3/8/2P1n3/PPQNK2P/RB6 b - - 2 24

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