Chess Puzzle #53Oof — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e6; rook f1; pawns a2/b3/f4/f5. Black: king h7; queen d4; rook c2; bishop g7; pawns a7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf5 — pawn g6→f5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf5+ — queen e6→f5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king h7→h8).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen f5→c2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move Qxf5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p5bk/4Q1pp/5P2/3q1P2/1P6/P1r5/5R1K b - - 0 32

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