Chess Puzzle #FB43f — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f5; queen d5; pawns a3/b4/c4/d3/e4/h3. Black: king c7; queen g8; pawns a7/b6/c5/d6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd5+ — queen g8→d5, captures queen, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: exd5 — pawn e4→d5, captures queen. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c5→b4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move exd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6q1/p1k4p/1p1p4/2pQ1K2/1PP1P3/P2P3P/8/8 b - - 3 53

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