Chess Puzzle #qsd9k — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d4; rook c1; bishop e2; knight c5; pawns b4/g2/h2. Black: king c7; queen b6; rooks a4/h6; bishop c8; knight e5; pawns b7/d6/e6/f5. Black is ahead by 6 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc5 — pawn d6→c5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen d4→e5, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king c7→d8).
3. Best move: Rd1+ — rook c1→d1, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2b5/1pk5/1q1pp2r/2N1np2/rP1Q4/8/4B1PP/2R4K b - - 1 25

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