Chess Puzzle #4zbBc — Beginner, White to move, endgame

Position

White: king h1; queen d5; rook c5; pawns e5/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen b8; rook e6; pawns f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook e6→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen d5→e5, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe5 (queen b8→e5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxe5 — rook c5→e5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1q6/5pkp/4r3/2RQP3/8/7P/6P1/7K b - - 0 40

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