Chess Puzzle #BAT8W — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c6; rooks a1/a7; knight a4; pawns a3/b3/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks b5/e8; bishop d6; knight f6; pawns c7/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight f6→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8+ — queen c6→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qxf7 — queen e8→f7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/R1p2pp1/2Qb1n1p/1r6/N6q/PP5P/2P2PP1/R5K1 b - - 0 23

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