Chess Puzzle #qgxpI — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d5; rooks d1/h1; knight d2; pawns a2/b3/f3/h6. Black: king h7; queen a7; rooks a8/c7; pawns b4/f5/g6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc4 — knight d2→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa2+ — queen a7→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b1→c1).
3. Best move: Qxb3 — queen a2→b3, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r7/q1r4k/6pP/3Q1p2/1p6/1P3P2/P2N4/1K1R3R w - - 1 36

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