Chess Puzzle #sMTGt — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen a6; rooks c1/e1; pawns b2/g2/h3. Black: king c6; queen g4; rooks d8/h4; bishop b6; pawns c7/e4/f4/g5. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd7 — king c6→d7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen a6→a4, gives check. Opponent replies c6 (pawn c7→c6).
3. Best move: Qxc6+ — queen a4→c6, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r4/2p5/Qbk5/6p1/4ppqr/7P/1P4PK/2R1R3 b - - 2 33

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