Chess Puzzle #AHPpf — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen c3; rooks d1/h1; bishop c4; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen c5; rook h8; bishops f5/h6; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc2 — knight d4→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh8+ — queen c3→h8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king c8→d7).
3. Best move: Qxh6 — queen h8→h6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxh8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/ppp2p2/3p3b/2q2b2/2Bn4/2Q5/PPP3PP/3R1K1R b - - 3 21

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