Chess Puzzle #8OPqK — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishops a4/d2; knights e2/f3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops c5/c8; knights b8/f6; pawns c4/d4/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa4 — rook a8→a4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa4 — queen d1→a4, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe2 (rook e8→e2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxc4 — queen a4→c4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move Qxa4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rnbqr1k1/5ppp/5n2/2b5/B1pp4/5N2/PP1BNPPP/R2Q1RK1 b - - 1 17

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