Chess Puzzle #7dUeb — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen f4; bishop e3; pawns c5/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen e6; rook d5; pawns e7/f7/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen e6→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen f4→e5, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe5 (rook d5→e5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bd4 — bishop e3→d4.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/4ppk1/4q1p1/2PrP2p/5Q2/4B2P/5PPK/8 b - - 9 42

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