Chess Puzzle #4QTJe — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks b1/f1; bishop e2; knight f7; pawns a2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/d8; bishop c8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf7 — queen f6→f7, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bc4 — bishop e2→c4. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen f7→c4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen b3→c4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1br2k1/pp3Npp/2n2q2/8/8/1Q6/P3BPPP/1R3RK1 b - - 0 19

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