Chess Puzzle #15qmL — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rook e1; knight e5; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook d8; bishop b8; pawns a5/b5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc6 — knight e5→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh2+ — queen c7→h2, 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 d8→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Qe3 (queen f3→e3).
5. Best move: Rxe3+ — rook e8→e3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, very long. The key move Rxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1b1r2k1/2q2pp1/7p/pp2N3/8/P4Q1P/1P3PP1/4R1K1 w - - 2 31

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