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

Position

White: king f2; queen b5; rook f3; pawns e5/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook d1; pawns e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb1 — rook d1→b1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen b5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Rxf5 — rook f3→f5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Qe8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/4p2p/1Q2Pq2/8/5RP1/5KP1/3r4 b - - 9 38

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