Chess Puzzle #1V0US — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks c1/e7; bishop c4; knight e5; pawns a3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c8; rooks a8/f8; bishop e4; knight c3; pawns a7/d4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd4 — pawn e3→d4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Bxe2 (bishop c4→e2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen c8→c1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1q2rk1/p3Rppp/Q3p3/4N3/2Bpb3/P1n1P3/5PPP/2R3K1 w - - 0 23

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