Chess Puzzle #2a5lX — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen g2; rook g7; bishop e3; knight f4; pawns a3/b2/c3/d4/f7. Black: king b8; queen c4; rook f8; bishop d6; knight e7; pawns a4/b3/b5/d5/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne6 — knight f4→e6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc8 — queen c4→c8. Opponent replies Bf4 (bishop e3→f4).
3. Best move: Qxe6+ — queen c8→e6, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxe6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k3r2/4nPRp/3b4/1p1p4/p1qP1N2/PpP1B2K/1P4Q1/8 w - - 3 34

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