Chess Puzzle #5WXo8 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d8; bishop b5; pawns a4/f3/g2/h5. Black: king f6; queen f4; rook c2; pawns a7/b6/d5/f5/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke5 — king f6→e5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qb8+ — queen d8→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd4 (king e5→d4).
3. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen b8→f4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short, skewer. The key move Qxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3Q4/p6p/1p3k2/1B1p1p1P/P4q2/5P2/2r3P1/7K b - - 3 34

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