Chess Puzzle #C8wAq — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen h3; rooks a1/g1; bishop e3; knights c3/d4; pawns a2/b2/c2/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks e5/e8; bishop c5; pawns a7/c6/c7/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rae1 — rook a1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxd4 — bishop c5→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxd4 (bishop e3→d4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen g6→c2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, capturing the defender, middlegame, short. The key move Qxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p1p2ppp/2p3q1/2bpr3/3N2P1/2N1B2Q/PPP2K1P/R5R1 w - - 1 18

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