Chess Puzzle #KAL64 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c7; rook a1; knight e2; pawns a4/b5/d4/g2/g4. Black: king a7; queen g6; rook f8; bishop g7; pawns b7/c5/d5/e4/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxd4 — pawn c5→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa5+ — queen c7→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king a7→b8).
3. Best move: b6 — pawn b5→b6.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Qa5+.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/kpQ3b1/6qp/1Ppp4/P2Pp1P1/8/4N1P1/R5K1 b - - 1 34

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