Chess Puzzle #9EBqX — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c4; rook a1; bishop c1; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e1; rook a8; bishop g5; pawns a7/b7/c7/d6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf1 — queen c4→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe4+ — queen e1→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king g2→g1).
3. Best move: Qxd5 — queen e4→d5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Qe4+.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/ppp2ppp/3p4/3N2b1/2Q5/6P1/PPP2PKP/R1B1q3 w - - 3 17

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