Chess Puzzle #27bBa — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e4; queen e6; rook e3; bishop h2; pawns a3/h3. Black: king c8; queen f1; rook d7; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/f6/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb5 — queen f1→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe8+ — queen e6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Rd8 (rook d7→d8).
3. Best move: Qxb5 — queen e8→b5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pppr2p1/4Qp2/4p3/4K3/P3R2P/7B/5q2 b - - 8 45

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