Chess Puzzle #330Jf — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e3; rooks d1/h1; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/d4/g4/h3. Black: king c8; queen b4; rooks d8/h8; bishop e7; pawns a7/b7/c6/g6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf7 — knight e5→f7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc4+ — queen b4→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
3. Best move: Qxf7 — queen c4→f7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Qc4+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/pp2b1p1/2p3p1/4N3/1q1P2P1/4Q2P/PP6/2KR3R w - - 3 23

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