Chess Puzzle #1qNV3 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f1; rook f2; pawns a2/b3/d3/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen d5; rook f4; pawns a5/c5/d4/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf5 — queen d5→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf4 — rook f2→f4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf4 (queen f5→f4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen f1→f4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move Qxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5k1p/6p1/p1pq4/3p1r2/1P1P4/P4RPP/5Q1K b - - 0 37

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