Chess Puzzle #5Q9b5 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen e2; rooks b1/h1; bishops c4/d6; pawns a2/c5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c3; rooks a8/e8; bishop d4; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/e4/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb7 — rook b1→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen c3→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen e2→e1).
3. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen c1→c4, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn2r1k1/pp3p1p/3B2p1/2P5/2Bbp3/2q4P/P3QPP1/1R3K1R w - - 2 17

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