Chess Puzzle #EpkCY — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; queen d1; rooks c1/h1; bishop f1; knight a8; pawns a2/e4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen e7; rook h8; bishop b7; knight g8; pawns a7/b6/d7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc7 — knight a8→c7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen e7→e4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king e3→f2).
3. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen e4→f4, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

deflection, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: N2k2nr/pb1pqppp/1p6/8/4PP2/4K3/P5PP/2RQ1B1R w - - 1 19

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