Chess Puzzle #EZvH5 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen e4; rooks d3/h1; pawns b3/c2/d4/f4/h5. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks a1/a8; pawns b4/b6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh1 — rook a1→h1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen e4→a8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king g8→h7).
3. Best move: Qe4+ — queen a8→e4, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, hanging piece, short. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/5pp1/1p5p/7P/1p1PQP1q/1P1R4/2PK4/r6R b - - 10 31

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