Chess Puzzle #2FWJc — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen f3; rook e1; pawns a3/b2/c4/f5/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen e7; rook d4; pawns a6/b7/e5/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc4 — rook d4→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd5+ — queen f3→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king f7→f8).
3. Best move: Qxc4 — queen d5→c4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Qd5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p2qkp1/p4p1p/4pP2/2Pr4/P4Q2/1P4PP/4RK2 b - - 2 27

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