Chess Puzzle #3FYFD — Intermediate, White to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen a4; rooks a1/h1; bishops d2/e2; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e7; rooks a8/h8; bishop d6; knights c6/f5; pawns a6/b7/c5/d5/e6/f6/g7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b5 — pawn b7→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxb5 — bishop e2→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb5 (pawn a6→b5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen a4→a8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/1p2q1p1/p1nbpp2/2pp1n1p/Q2P4/2P2N2/PP1BBPPP/R3K2R b KQkq - 0 16

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