Chess Puzzle #899Lb — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; rook a1; knights d2/f3; pawns a2/b4/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen c2; rooks d8/e8; bishop c6; pawns b6/c7/d5/f6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re2 — rook e8→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa6+ — queen a3→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
3. Best move: Qxe2 — queen a6→e2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Qa6+.

Position data

FEN: 2krr3/2p3pp/1pb2p2/3p4/1P1P4/Q1P2N2/P1qN1PPP/R5K1 b - - 2 18

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