Chess Puzzle #Hq15l — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rooks a1/f1; bishop g2; knight c4; pawns a3/b3/c2/d3/f4/g3/h3. Black: king h8; queen c7; rooks a8/f8; bishops d6/d7; pawns a7/b7/e5/f5/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxe5 — pawn f4→e5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bc5 — bishop d6→c5. Opponent replies Qxc5 (queen d4→c5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen c7→c5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/ppqb1p1p/3b4/4pp2/2NQ1P2/PP1P2PP/2P3B1/R4RK1 w - - 0 20

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