Chess Puzzle #4eTjQ — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen a7; rooks a1/f1; knights c3/e6; pawns a3/b4/c4/d5/f4/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen g3; rooks d8/h8; bishop g6; knight f7; pawns b7/c7/d6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf2 — queen a7→f2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd3+ — queen g3→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king d2→e1).
3. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen d3→c3, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/Qpp2n1p/3pN1b1/3P4/1PP2P2/P1N3qP/3K2P1/R4R2 w - - 3 26

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