Chess Puzzle #2J85v — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks b1/d6; bishop g3; pawns f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks a8/d8; bishop g7; pawns a5/c5/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd6 — rook d8→d6, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen f3→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: Bxd6 — bishop g3→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, hanging piece, intermezzo, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/6bp/3R1pp1/p1p5/2q5/5QBP/5PP1/1R4K1 b - - 0 22

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