Chess Puzzle #36PmL — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e6; rook f6; pawns a2/b3/c5/g2. Black: king h8; queen g7; rook a8; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/g3. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf8 — rook a8→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh6+ — rook f6→h6, gives check. Opponent replies Qxh6+ (queen g7→h6, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen e6→h6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r6k/pp4q1/2p1QR2/2Pp4/8/1P4p1/P5P1/7K b - - 1 30

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