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

Position

White: king e1; queen c2; rooks a1/h1; knights d2/e2; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen e5; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knight g8; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb4 — bishop f8→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen c2→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king d7→e7).
3. Best move: Qxb4+ — queen a4→b4, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4bnr/pp1k1ppp/4p3/3pq3/8/8/PPQNNPPP/R3K2R b KQ - 1 12

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