Chess Puzzle #GHKnM — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook e7; pawns b3/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rook f8; pawns a6/b5/c4/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxb3 — pawn c4→b3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qd4 — queen d1→d4. Opponent replies Qa1+ (queen a2→a1, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxa1 — queen d4→a1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Qd4.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/4R1pp/p7/1p6/2p5/1P5P/q1P2PP1/3Q2K1 b - - 1 25

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