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

Position

White: king e1; queen c2; rooks d1/h1; knights c3/e2; pawns a2/b2/e3/e5/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen b6; rooks c8/h8; bishops a6/f8; pawns a7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe3 — queen b6→e3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen c2→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e8→d8).
3. Best move: Qxa6 — queen a4→a6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Qa4+.

Position data

FEN: 2r1kb1r/p4ppp/bq2p3/3pP3/8/2N1P3/PPQ1N1PP/3RK2R b Kk - 2 15

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