Chess Puzzle #46dKi — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks d1/e1; knights c3/d4; pawns a3/b2/c2/e4/f4/g5/h2. Black: king e8; queen c4; rooks c8/f8; bishop b7; knight d7; pawns a6/b5/d6/e7/f7/g6/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b2→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3 — queen c4→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen d2→c3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r1kr2/1b1npp2/p2p2p1/1p4Pp/2qNPP2/P1N5/1PPQ3P/2KRR3 w - - 2 18

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