Chess Puzzle #22Pt8 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a4; rooks a1/h1; pawns a3/c4/d3/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen f7; rooks d8/h8; knight d4; pawns a7/c6/d6/e5/f6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc7 — king c8→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa7+ — queen a4→a7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king c7→c8).
3. Best move: Qxf7 — queen a7→f7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short, skewer. The key move Qxa7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/p4q1p/2pp1p2/4p3/Q1PnP3/P2P4/5PPP/R3K2R b KQ - 1 17

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