Chess Puzzle #1v2he — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen f3; bishop h3; pawns a3/b2/g2. Black: king f6; queen d6; bishop c1; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king f6→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen f3→c3, gives check. Opponent replies e5 (pawn e6→e5).
3. Best move: Qxc1 — queen c3→c1, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, fork, short. The key move is Qc3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p2/p2qpkp1/1p6/8/P4Q1B/1P4P1/2b4K b - - 7 40

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