Chess Puzzle #0we3p — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e5; rooks a1/h1; knight g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knight d5; pawns a6/b7/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh8 — queen e5→h8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa5+ — queen d8→a5, gives check. Opponent replies c3 (pawn c2→c3).
3. Best move: Nf6 — knight d5→f6.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move is Qa5+.

Position data

FEN: r2q1b1r/1p1kpp1p/p5p1/3nQ3/8/8/PPP2PPP/R3K1NR w KQ - 0 13

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