Chess Puzzle #s9Cet — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen f4; rook e1; bishops a3/f3; pawns a2/c3/c6/f2/h4. Black: king f8; queen c7; rook a8; bishop e7; knights d7/e5; pawns a6/b7/e6/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc6 — pawn b7→c6, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxh6+ — queen f4→h6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke8 (king f8→e8).
3. Best move: Qh8+ — queen h6→h8, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxh6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/1pqnbp2/p1P1p2p/4n3/5Q1P/B1P2B2/P4PK1/4R3 b - - 0 27

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