Double Disco Deflecto Pin Mate!

Zwischenzug! Okay, now that I've told you all the tactics you'll see in this one "simple" position, I'll go ahead and explain a little.

In ONE move, White will discover a checkmate threat, which exploits a pin and deflects Black's pieces away from protecting important squares. This move is much more powerful than just immediately trading queens. (Be sure to click the links if you're not sure about a word!) By, Mrs Jessica E Prescott (aka BoundingOwl).

First, as usual, just evaluate the position.

Material? Even, though White has a bishop to Black's knight.
---
King safety? Black's king looks a bit more open.
---
Pawn structure? Both sides have passed pawns, but Black's is further down the board.
---
Hanging or loose pieces? The queens are attacking each other, and White's is hanging.
---
Active pieces? They all appear to be doing something!
---
Existing tactics? The black queen is pinned!
---
So now we look for moves for White. You already know that it's not just Qxe6 Rxe6, where the endgame looks drawish, though Black could press for a win with his farther-advanced pawn (gobbling up the passed pawn with Rd1 fails to ...Nc3! and if Rxd4 Ne2+!). Do you see anything else that might make use of Black's weakness, the king? Can you exploit the pin?
---
---
---
If you saw Qb8+, good for you. Always look for forcing moves. But you should also see that Black can play Rc8 to block the check. After Bd6, however, Black is lost!  Let's look at his other options.
---
---
Nice! Black has one other try. But to no avail - everything falls!
---
---
---
Excellent work ChessKids! This seemingly simple position shows you that there is a lot going on in any chess game. The quick queen trade would have been a dastardly regretful error, compared to the brutal Bd6 threat! It's good to know about all these different tactics...Keep practicing, my friends!

RELATED STUDY MATERIAL