Chess Puzzle #1sMEk — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rook c1; bishop h2; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks d8/e5; bishop b7; pawns a5/c5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rde8 — rook d8→e8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen b5→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe8 (rook e5→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxc7 — bishop h2→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/1bq2p1p/6p1/pQp1r3/8/2P4P/PP3PPB/2R3K1 b - - 1 24

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