Chess Puzzle #2lCLC — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen d3; rooks a4/c1; pawns b4/d4/e3/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen b7; rook a8; knight f6; pawns a6/d5/e6/f7/g5/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc3 — queen d3→c3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb5+ — queen b7→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king e2→e1).
3. Best move: Qxa4 — queen b5→a4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Qb5+.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1q3pp1/p3pn2/3p2p1/RP1P2P1/3QP2P/4KP2/2R5 w - - 1 34

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