Chess Puzzle #3CAQl — Beginner, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen h5; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c5/c8; knight g8; pawns a6/b7/c6/c7/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g6 — pawn g7→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen h5→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qe7 (queen d8→e7).
3. Best move: Qxh8 — queen e5→h8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, opening, pin, short. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bqk1nr/1pp3pp/p1p5/2b1p2Q/4P3/2N5/PPPP1PPP/R1B1K2R b KQkq - 1 8

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