Chess Puzzle #Z8QCO — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c7; knight f3; pawns c4/d5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d1; rook f2; pawns a6/f6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe2 — queen d1→e2. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen c7→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g8→f7).
3. Best move: Qc7+ — queen c8→c7, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/2Q3p1/p4p1p/3P4/2P5/5N1P/5rPK/3q4 b - - 0 38

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