Chess Puzzle #9LeDK — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g7; rook d1; bishop f1; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b3/c2/d2/e3/f2/g5. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h1; bishop h3; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/c5/d6/e7/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf1 — rook h1→f1, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qh8+ — queen g7→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
3. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h8→h3, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qk3/4ppQ1/p1np2p1/1pp3P1/8/1PN1PN1b/P1PP1P2/2KR1B1r b q - 3 16

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