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

Position

White: king e1; queen g4; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b3/c2/d3/e5/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen a8; rook h8; bishops a6/f8; pawns a5/b6/d4/d6/e4/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd3 — pawn e4→d3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen g4→e6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Be7 (bishop f8→e7).
3. Best move: O-O — king e1→g1.

Tactical themes

advantage, castling, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: q3kb1r/6pp/bp1pp3/p3P3/3pp1Q1/1P1P2P1/P1P4P/R1B1K2R b KQk - 1 16

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