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

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; rook e1; pawns b6/c7/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c5; rook e8; bishop g7; pawns e2/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf8 — queen c5→f8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxe8 — queen d7→e8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxe8 (queen f8→e8, captures queen).
3. Best move: b7 — pawn b6→b7.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, sacrifice, short. The key move Qxe8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/2PQ2bp/1P4p1/2q5/8/7P/4p1P1/4R2K b - - 1 42

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