Chess Puzzle #o9KY5 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; bishop e3; knight d4; pawns a3/b2/c3/e5/f4/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d5; bishops b3/g7; pawns a7/b6/c6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c5 — pawn c6→c5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qc8+ — queen g4→c8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
3. Best move: f5 — pawn f4→f5.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p3ppbp/1pp3p1/3qP3/3N1PQ1/PbP1B2P/1P4P1/6K1 b - - 3 23

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