Chess Puzzle #8qmTi — Advanced, White to move, opening

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop c1; knights b1/h2; pawns a4/b3/c3/d2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops c6/g7; knight h6; pawns a6/b5/d6/e5/f5/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxa4 — pawn b5→a4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc4+ — queen e2→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Nf7 (knight h6→f7).
3. Best move: Qxc6 — queen c4→c6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, opening, short. The key move is Qc4+.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/6bp/p1bp2pn/1p2pp2/P7/1PP4P/3PQPPN/RNB2RK1 b - - 0 20

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