Chess Puzzle #IIeQy — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; queen e5; rooks d1/e1; bishop d5; pawns a2/c2/d4/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks d7/d8; pawns a7/c4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxc4 — king c3→c4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa4+ — queen a5→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king c4→d3).
3. Best move: Rxd5 — rook d7→d5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, master, middlegame, short. The key move is Qa4+.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p2r1ppp/8/q2BQ3/2pP1P2/2K3P1/P1P4P/3RR3 w - - 1 23

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