Chess Puzzle #24dd0 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook d1; bishops b2/c4; knight b5; pawns a4/b3/e3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook a8; bishops b7/e7; knight f6; pawns a5/b4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd8 — rook a8→d8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd8+ — queen d3→d8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd8 (bishop e7→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd8+ — rook d1→d8, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, middlegame, short. The key move Qxd8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1b2bppp/2q1pn2/pN6/PpB5/1P1QPP2/1B4PP/3R2K1 b - - 0 21

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