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

Position

White: king g2; queen e2; pawns a2/c2/c6/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rook f8; pawns a7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc8 — rook f8→c8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe6+ — queen e2→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qxc8 — queen e6→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Qe6+.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p5p1/2P4p/8/5q2/5P2/P1P1Q1KP/8 b - - 0 31

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