Chess Puzzle #XI5Em — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rook e1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h7; queen h3; rook d2; bishop f5; pawns a6/c7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc2 — bishop f5→c2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qf4 — queen f7→f4. Opponent replies Rd1 (rook d2→d1).
3. Best move: Rxd1 — rook e1→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move is Qf4.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p2Qpk/p6p/5b2/3P4/6Pq/PPPr1P1P/4R1K1 b - - 0 24

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