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

Position

White: king f4; queen c7; rook a7; bishop f7; pawns a2/c4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen e6; rook f8; bishop d4; knight c5; pawn h5. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be5+ — bishop d4→e5, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen c7→e5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe5+ (queen e6→e5, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxe5 — king f4→e5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r1k/R1Q2B2/4q3/2n4p/2Pb1K2/7P/P5P1/8 b - - 4 35

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