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

Position

White: king c1; queen b7; rooks d1/g1; bishop c4; pawns a3/b2/c2/d4/e3/f2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e8; rooks a8/f7; bishops d6/f5; pawns a5/c6/f3/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be6 — bishop f5→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxe6 — bishop c4→e6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxe6 (queen e8→e6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen b7→a8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r3q1k1/1Q3rpp/2pb4/p4b2/2BP4/P3Pp1P/1PP2P2/2KR2R1 b - - 3 19

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