Chess Puzzle #56Gyg — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/d1; knight f3; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks d5/d8; knight c8; pawns a7/b7/c5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd5 — rook d1→d5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen f6→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d8→d5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2nr2k1/pp3pp1/5q1p/2pr4/8/1P2PN1P/P1Q2PP1/R2R2K1 w - - 1 22

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