Chess Puzzle #41c9u — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/f1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/e4; bishop d7; pawns a5/b6/c4/d5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg4 — bishop d7→g4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd5+ — queen d2→d5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qe6 (queen f6→e6).
3. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen d5→a8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/3b2p1/1p3q1p/p2p4/2p1r3/5N2/PP1Q1PPP/R4RK1 b - - 1 23

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