Chess Puzzle #50mlq — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rook a5; pawns e3/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a8; rook b8; pawns f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa5 — queen a8→a5, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen d6→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qe5+ — queen b8→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe5 (queen a5→e5, captures queen).
4. Best move: fxe5 — pawn f4→e5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, long. The key move Qxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: qr4k1/5p1p/3Q2p1/R7/5P2/4P2P/6P1/6K1 b - - 0 36

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