Chess Puzzle #1jDT2 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks d2/e1; knight d5; pawns a3/b2/c3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks c6/e8; knight f7; pawns b7/e4/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd4 — rook d2→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen c4→d4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c3→d4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c6→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, middlegame, short. The key move Qxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/1p3npp/2r5/3N1p2/2q1p3/P1P4P/1PQR2P1/4R1K1 w - - 6 32

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