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

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; bishop b1; pawns a3/b2/c3/e6/g3/h3. Black: king h7; queen f2; bishop e5; knight d3; pawns a4/b5/c4/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe1+ — queen f2→e1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe1 — queen e4→e1, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxe1 (knight d3→e1, captures queen).
3. Best move: e7 — pawn e6→e7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxe1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/7k/4P1pp/1p2b3/p1p1Q3/P1Pn2PP/1P3q2/1B5K b - - 2 49

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