Chess Puzzle #MQ8Qy — Expert, White to move, opening

Position

White: king f1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/c4; knights e2/f3; pawns a2/b2/d2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops d3/f8; knights c2/g8; pawns a7/b7/c5/e7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa1 — knight c2→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen d1→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Qd7 (queen d8→d7).
3. Best move: Qxd7+ — queen a4→d7, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, opening, short. The key move Qxd7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qkbnr/pp2pppp/8/2p1P3/2B5/3b1N2/PPnPNPPP/R1BQ1K1R b kq - 7 9

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