Chess Puzzle #16cNn — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d3; rook h1; bishop f2; pawns a4/b5/c4/e4/f3/g2. Black: king g7; queen f4; rook f8; bishop f7; pawns a5/b7/e5/f6/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh4 — rook h1→h4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen f4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Be1 (bishop f2→e1).
3. Best move: Bxc4 — bishop f7→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen d3→c4, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen c1→c4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/1p3bk1/5p2/pP2p3/P1P1Pq1p/3Q1P2/5BP1/5K1R w - - 6 35

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