Chess Puzzle #4zUh0 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rook f7; knight f4; pawns a2/c2/e3/e6/g2/h2. Black: king a5; queen c4; rook h8; bishop a1; knight a6; pawns g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc7 — rook f7→c7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc7 — queen c4→c7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc7+ (queen a7→c7, captures queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight a6→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 7r/Q4Rpp/n3P3/k7/2q2N2/4P3/P1P3PP/b5K1 w - - 1 23

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