Chess Puzzle #3CsvI — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e5; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/g5; knight c3; pawns a3/c4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/d7/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook a1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ng4 — knight f6→g4. Opponent replies Qg3 (queen e5→g3).
3. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen b2→c3, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, opening, short. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/pp1p1ppp/4pn2/4Q1B1/2P5/P1N1P3/1q3PPP/R3KB1R w KQ - 0 13

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