Chess Puzzle #5P6lD — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen a7; rooks d1/h1; bishops d3/f4; knight b6; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c7; queen b4; rooks b8/h8; bishops e6/f8; knight g8; pawns b7/c6/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Na8+ — knight b6→a8, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxa8 — rook b8→a8, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxa8 (queen a7→a8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen b4→f4, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r3bnr/Qpk2ppp/1Np1b3/3pP3/1q3B2/3B4/PPP2PPP/2KR3R w - - 9 15

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