Chess Puzzle #1ztJ9 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; queen e2; knight e5; pawns b2/d5/g2/h3. Black: king d6; queen f6; pawns a4/a6/c4/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5+ — queen f6→e5, captures knight, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen e2→e5, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe5 (king d6→e5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Kxc4 — king c3→c4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/8/p2k1q1p/3PN1p1/p1p5/2K4P/1P2Q1P1/8 b - - 0 42

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