Chess Puzzle #SO601 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rook f1; bishop d5; pawns a2/b3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen a1; rooks e8/g7; pawns b6/b7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook e8→e1. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh7 (king h8→h7).
3. Best move: Be4+ — bishop d5→e4, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Qc8+.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/1p4r1/1p5p/3B4/2Q5/1P5P/P5P1/q4RK1 b - - 2 34

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