Chess Puzzle #1y9S4 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen g5; rook a1; pawns a6/e4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king e7; queen d6; rook b5; bishop b4; pawns e5/f4/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf6 — queen d6→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf6+ — queen g5→f6, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf6 (king e7→f6, captures queen).
3. Best move: a7 — pawn a6→a7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/4k3/P2q4/1r2p1Q1/1b2Pp1p/5P1P/6P1/R4K2 b - - 0 60

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