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

Position

White: king e1; queen a4; rooks a1/h1; bishop f1; pawns a2/c3/d4/d5/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e8; queen d7; rooks a8/h8; bishop e6; pawns a7/c6/c7/e4/f6/f7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxd5 — pawn c6→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bb5 — bishop f1→b5. Opponent replies Qxb5 (queen d7→b5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxb5+ — queen a4→b5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/p1pq1p2/2p1bp2/3P3p/Q2Pp3/2P1P2P/P4PP1/R3KB1R b KQkq - 0 13

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