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

Position

White: king c1; queen h4; rooks g5/h1; bishop c4; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: h6 — pawn h7→h6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6 — queen h4→h6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxg5+ (queen d8→g5, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxg5 — queen h6→g5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxh6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1rk1/ppp2ppp/2np4/6R1/2B4Q/5N2/PPP2PPP/2K4R b - - 0 12

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