Chess Puzzle #IUO6i — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a6/h1; bishop e3; knights d2/d4; pawns a2/e5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c3; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knight g6; pawns a7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: O-O — king e1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen c3→e3, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen e3→d4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/p4ppp/R3p1n1/3pP3/3N1P2/2q1B3/P2N2PP/3QK2R w Kkq - 3 18

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