Chess Puzzle #1BUCk — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/f1; bishop d3; knight g3; pawns a4/c4/d4/h2. Black: king g8; queen g4; rooks a8/e8; knight f8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen g4→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rf2 (rook f6→f2).
3. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen d4→a1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3rnk1/ppp2p1p/5p2/8/P1PP2q1/3B2N1/2Q4P/R4RK1 w - - 0 23

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