Chess Puzzle #2Q4uz — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rook a1; pawns d4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook a8; pawns a5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4 — queen e7→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4 — queen c4→b4, captures queen. Opponent replies axb4 (pawn a5→b4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxa8+ — rook a1→a8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Rxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/4qpp1/4p2p/p7/2QP4/4P2P/5PP1/R5K1 b - - 1 31

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