Chess Puzzle #2Kw9b — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rook e1; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen e6; rook b8; pawns a6/b5/d6/e5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa7+ — queen d4→a7, gives check. Opponent replies Qf7 (queen e6→f7).
3. Best move: Qxb8 — queen a7→b8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Qa7+.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/6kp/p2pq1p1/1p2p3/2PQ4/8/PP3PPP/4R1K1 b - - 0 30

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