Chess Puzzle #F1zc4 — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen a5; rook e1; pawns a4/b3/g2/h2. Black: king b8; queen d4; rook d1; pawns a6/b7/c5/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4 — queen d4→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4 — queen a5→b4, captures queen. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c5→b4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd1 — rook e1→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move Qxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/1p3p2/p3p2p/Q1p5/P2q4/1P6/6PP/3rR2K b - - 4 36

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