Chess Puzzle #42elk — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d3; queen d5; rooks b4/d2; pawns a2/f4. Black: king g8; queen g4; rook c6; pawns a7/b7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re4 — rook b4→e4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf3+ — queen g4→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Re3 (rook e4→e3).
3. Best move: Qxd5+ — queen f3→d5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxd5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp3p1p/2r3p1/3Q4/1R3Pq1/3K4/P2R4/8 w - - 2 35

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