Chess Puzzle #0lz8H — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook e1; knight b3; pawns a4/b5/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d6; rook h8; pawns a6/b6/c7/d5/f7/g5/g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxa6 — pawn b5→a6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh2+ — queen d6→h2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Qh1+ — queen h2→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
4. Best move: Re8+ — rook h8→e8, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, kingside attack, long. The key move Qxh2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/2p2pp1/pp1q4/1P1p2p1/P2P4/1NP2Q2/5PPP/4R1K1 w - - 1 23

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