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

Position

White: king e1; queen b1; rook h1; bishop a3; knight f3; pawns d2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks a8/e8; pawns a7/b7/f6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d3 — pawn d2→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen c4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Nd2 (knight f3→d2).
3. Best move: Qxa3 — queen c3→a3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Qc3+.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pp3p1p/5pp1/8/2q5/B3PN2/3P1PPP/1Q2K2R w K - 0 20

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