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

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/f3/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen c6; rooks d8/h8; bishop f8; knight g8; pawns b7/c7/d4/e7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc3 — pawn d4→c3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen a7→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
3. Best move: Rd1+ — rook f1→d1, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Qa8+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr1bnr/Qpp1pppp/2q5/8/2Pp4/2N2PP1/PP3P1P/R1B2RK1 b - - 1 11

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