Chess Puzzle #40isR — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/e1; bishop d2; pawns a2/b2/c5/f2/g2/h6. Black: king g8; queen d7; rooks a8/e8; bishop d6; pawns a6/d4/e4/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc5 — bishop d6→c5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc4+ — queen e2→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Qf7 (queen d7→f7).
3. Best move: Qxc5 — queen c4→c5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Qc4+.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/3q3p/p2b2pP/2P2p2/3pp3/8/PP1BQPP1/R3R1K1 b - - 0 24

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