Chess Puzzle #2za1I — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen e2; rooks c4/d1; bishop e3; knights d4/f3; pawns a3/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen b5; rooks d5/e7; bishop g7; knights c3/c5; pawns d6/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c4→c3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe2+ — queen b5→e2, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Nxe2 (knight d4→e2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd1 — rook d5→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4r1b1/3p2p1/1qnr2Pp/2RN3P/P1n1BN2/4Q1K1/3R4 w - - 8 33

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