Chess Puzzle #1CBa8 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e5; rook d1; bishops b3/g3; knight d4; pawns b4/c5/e3/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen a3; rook a1; bishops b5/e7; knight f6; pawns c6/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa1 — rook d1→a1, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen a3→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Ng4+ — knight f6→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh3 (king h2→h3).
4. Best move: Nxe5 — knight g4→e5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/4bpp1/2p1pn1p/1bP1Q3/1P1N3P/qB2P1B1/5PP1/r2R2K1 w - - 3 31

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