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

Position

White: king c1; queen c2; rooks d1/h1; knights c5/f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks b7/f8; bishop f5; knight f6; pawns a7/c4/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb7 — knight c5→b7, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf4+ — queen d6→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Nd2 (knight f3→d2).
3. Best move: Bxc2 — bishop f5→c2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Qf4+.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pr3ppp/3qpn2/2N2b2/2pP4/2P2N2/PPQ2PPP/2KR3R w - - 2 19

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