Chess Puzzle #QI8CA — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d8; bishop f1; knight f3; pawns b3/e5/f2/h6. Black: king g8; queen f7; rook a1; bishop b5; pawns b4/d5/e6/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf8 — queen f7→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: h7+ — pawn h6→h7, gives check. Opponent replies Kg7 (king g8→g7).
3. Best move: Qxf8+ — queen d8→f8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move Qxf8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3Q2k1/5q2/4p1pP/1b1pP3/1p6/1P3N2/5P2/r4BK1 b - - 2 41

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