Chess Puzzle #qCpa2 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen b7; rook f1; bishop d5; pawns e2/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g8; queen f5; rook c8; bishop b2; pawns a4/b5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e4 — pawn e2→e4. Opponent replies Qf3 (queen f5→f3).
3. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen b7→c8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, short. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/1Q3p1p/6p1/1p1B1q2/p7/6PP/1b2PP1K/5R2 b - - 0 31

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