Chess Puzzle #O1YTf — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h6; rooks c1/e1; knight h7; pawns a2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen f2; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight e7; pawns a6/c7/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb7 — bishop c8→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen h6→f8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf8 (queen f2→f8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxf8 — knight h7→f8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b1kr2/2p1n2N/p5pQ/8/8/8/P4qPP/2R1R2K b q - 1 26

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