Chess Puzzle #XQYj9 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f5; rook b1; pawns f2/g4/h3. Black: king c6; queen d4; rook h8; bishop e7; pawns b7/c5/e4/g5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh3 — rook h8→h3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen f5→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kd5 (king c6→d5).
3. Best move: Qd7+ — queen c8→d7, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7r/1p2b3/2k5/2p2Qp1/3qp1P1/7P/5P2/1R4K1 b - - 1 35

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