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

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rook c1; bishop c4; pawns g2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen a3; rook c8; pawns a7/b5/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qe6+ — queen e4→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen e6→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/p5pp/5p2/1p6/2B1Q3/q5PP/6P1/2R4K b - - 0 36

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