Chess Puzzle #12vbX — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e3; rooks b1/h1; knights c3/c7; pawns a2/c2/d3/e4/f2/g3/h4. Black: king d8; queen a3; rooks a8/h8; bishop g4; knight g8; pawns a7/b7/c5/d6/e7/f3/f7/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa8 — knight c7→a8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen a3→c3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qd2 (queen e3→d2).
3. Best move: Qxd2+ — queen c3→d2, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2k2nr/ppN1pp2/3p4/2p4p/4P1bP/q1NPQpP1/P1P2P2/1R2K2R w K - 4 17

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