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

Position

White: king g1; queen c7; rook f1; bishops e2/e3; knight a1; pawns b2/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e7; rook h8; bishop d5; knights d7/f6; pawns e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc5 — bishop e3→c5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen e7→c5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc5 (queen c7→c5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxc5 — knight d7→c5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4k2r/2Qnqppp/5n2/3bp3/8/4BP2/1PP1B1PP/N4RK1 w k - 3 18

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