Chess Puzzle #0q9Qu — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d7; rooks d1/e1; bishop b2; pawns a2/b3/c4/f6/g2/h4. Black: king h8; queen f2; rook e8; bishop f8; knight c7; pawns a6/b7/c6/e5/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen d7→c7, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh4+ — queen f2→h4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
3. Best move: Bc5+ — bishop f8→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Bd4 (bishop b2→d4).
4. Best move: Bxd4+ — bishop c5→d4, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4rb1k/1pnQ1p2/p1p2Pp1/4p2p/2P4P/1P6/PB3qP1/3RR2K w - - 2 31

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