Chess Puzzle #74T8x — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h4; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b2/d3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c7; rooks a8/h8; bishop d6; knight d4; pawns a6/b7/c5/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc2 — knight d4→c2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen h4→a4, gives check. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b7→b5).
3. Best move: Qxc2 — queen a4→c2, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Qa4+.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/1pq3pp/p2b4/2p1p3/3n3Q/3P4/PP3PPP/R1B1R1K1 b kq - 0 18

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