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

Position

White: king e1; queen e3; rooks a1/g1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d3/f2/f3/h2. Black: king h7; queen f5; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd6 — bishop f8→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen e3→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg8 (king h7→g8).
3. Best move: Rxg6+ — rook g1→g6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, middlegame, short. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4b1r/ppp4k/2n3pp/4pq2/8/2PPQP2/PP3P1P/R1B1K1R1 b Q - 3 16

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