Chess Puzzle #0HCFf — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a4; rooks a1/h1; bishops e3/f1; knight g1; pawns a2/b2/b7/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen g6; rooks a8/h8; bishops f8/g4; knights c3/c6; pawns a7/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc6+ — queen a4→c6, captures knight, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6 — queen g6→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies bxa8=Q+ (pawn b7→a8, captures rook, promotes to queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxa8 — queen c6→a8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, opening, short. The key move Qxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/pP2pppp/2n3q1/8/Q1P3b1/2n1B3/PP3PPP/R3KBNR w KQkq - 1 11

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