Chess Puzzle #3B5fi — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen f3; rook a1; bishops c6/f4; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knight g8; pawns a7/c7/d7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc6 — pawn d7→c6, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen f3→c6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qd7 (queen d8→d7).
3. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen c6→a8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qkbnr/p1pppppp/2B5/8/3P1B2/5Q2/PPP2P1P/RN2K3 b Qkq - 0 8

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