Chess Puzzle #PVcQ2 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e7; rook a1; knights c3/g6; pawns a2/b2/g2. Black: king c8; queen c4; rook g8; bishop f4; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf4 — knight g6→f4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf4 — queen c4→f4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxe6+ (queen e7→e6, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kc7 — king c8→c7.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/pp2Q3/2p1p1N1/8/2q2bn1/2N5/PP4P1/R6K w - - 0 23

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