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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishops d3/e3; knight c5; pawns a3/b2/c4/f4/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen d6; rooks a8/h8; bishop c6; knight f6; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g6/h4. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf2 — bishop e3→f2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: hxg3 — pawn h4→g3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxg3 (bishop f2→g3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qxc5+ — queen d6→c5, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/5p2/p1bqpnp1/1pN5/2P2P1p/P2BB1P1/1P2Q2P/R4RK1 w kq - 0 21

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