Chess Puzzle #1Pha9 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f4; queen d5; bishop h3; pawns a4/e5/g3/h2. Black: king h7; queen c3; bishop b8; pawns a7/b6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5+ — queen c3→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5 — queen d5→e5, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxe5+ (bishop b8→e5, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxe5 — king f4→e5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move Qxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1b6/p5pk/1p5p/3QP3/P4K2/2q3PB/7P/8 b - - 4 39

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