Chess Puzzle #20Fsp — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rook c1; knight c5; pawns f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook a2; bishop h7; pawns d5/f7/g4/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qa7 — queen c7→a7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen b5→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qe5+ — queen e8→e5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, master, short. The key move is Qe8+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2q2p1b/7p/1QNp4/6p1/6P1/r4P1P/2R3K1 b - - 0 38

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