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

Position

White: king g1; queen a1; rook f1; knights c5/f3; pawns a3/b4/c2/d3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen b6; rooks a8/h8; bishop g4; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/e3/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop g4→f3, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh8+ — queen a1→h8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e8→e7).
3. Best move: Qxa8 — queen h8→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, short, skewer. The key move Qxh8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/pp3p1p/1qn3p1/2N5/1P3Pb1/P2PpN2/2P3PP/Q4RK1 b kq - 0 16

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