Chess Puzzle #4f2yb — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a5; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/f4; pawns a2/c3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d7; rooks b8/h8; bishops f8/g6; knight f6; pawns d4/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb7 — rook b8→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa8+ — queen a5→a8, gives check. Opponent replies Qd8 (queen d7→d8).
3. Best move: Qxb7 — queen a8→b7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, master, middlegame, short. The key move is Qa8+.

Position data

FEN: 1r2kb1r/3qpppp/5nb1/Q7/3p1B2/2P2P2/P5PP/R3KB1R b KQk - 5 16

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