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

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rooks a1/f1; bishop e3; knights d5/f4; pawns a2/b2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c6; rooks b8/h8; bishops e5/f5; knight e7; pawns a4/c5/d6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight e7→d5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb8+ — queen a7→b8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king e8→d7).
3. Best move: Qa7+ — queen b8→a7, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r2k2r/Q3np1p/2qp2p1/2pNbb2/p1P2N2/4B3/PP4PP/R4RK1 b k - 4 21

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