Chess Puzzle #4Xoc0 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; bishop e3; pawns c5/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook c8; pawns e5/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f5 — pawn f7→f5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bh6 — bishop e3→h6. Opponent replies Qf6 (queen e6→f6).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b7→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, quiet move, short. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1Q3p2/4q1p1/2P1p3/8/4B1P1/5P1P/6K1 b - - 4 28

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