Chess Puzzle #2Bc2Q — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen b3; rooks a1/h1; bishop b5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen e5; rooks a8/h8; knight d7; pawns a6/b6/e6/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb5+ — queen e5→b5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxb5 (queen b3→b5, captures queen).
3. Best move: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2k3r/3n2pp/pp2p3/1B2q3/8/1Q6/PP3PPP/R4K1R w - - 0 19

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