Chess Puzzle #2OfLU — Intermediate, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king f3; queen b7; pawns a4/c4/d6. Black: king d7; queen e6; pawns a6/c5/f6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxd6 — king d7→d6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa6+ — queen b7→a6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke5 (king d6→e5).
3. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen a6→e6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short. The key move Qxa6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1Q1k4/p2Pqp2/2p5/P1P5/5K2/8/8 b - - 4 53

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