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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rook f1; bishops c1/c2; knights c4/e5; pawns b2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook a8; bishops d6/d7; knights d4/f6; pawns b4/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen d3→d4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bc5 — bishop d6→c5. Opponent replies Qxc5 (queen d4→c5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen c7→c5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r5k1/2qb1pp1/3bpn1p/4N3/1pNn1P2/3Q4/1PB3PP/2B2RK1 w - - 0 20

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