Chess Puzzle #02CA5 — Beginner, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/g5; knight g1; pawns a2/c3/c4/d5/e2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen a5; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; knights b8/f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/d7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf6 — bishop g5→f6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen a5→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qd2 (queen d1→d2).
3. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen c3→a1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, opening, short. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rnb1k2r/pp1p1ppp/2p2n2/q2Pp1B1/2P5/2P5/P3PPPP/R2QKBNR w KQkq - 1 7

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