Chess Puzzle #9QmGL — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; knights b1/h8; pawns a2/b2/c2/d2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e7; rook a8; knights d4/e4; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 9 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king f2→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc5 — queen e7→c5. Opponent replies Qh5+ (queen d1→h5, gives check).
3. Best move: Kd7 — king e8→d7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move is Qc5.

Position data

FEN: r3k2N/ppp1q1pp/8/3Pp3/3nn3/8/PPPP1KPP/RNBQ3R w q - 1 12

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