Chess Puzzle #1E5y1 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen d3; pawns b3/d4/f3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen c6; pawns b4/e3/f5/f6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc4 — queen d3→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen c6→c4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies bxc4 (pawn b3→c4, captures queen).
3. Best move: b3 — pawn b4→b3. Opponent replies Kxe3 (king e2→e3, captures pawn).
4. Best move: b2 — pawn b3→b2.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 7k/8/2q2p2/5p1p/1p1P1P2/1P1QpPP1/4K2P/8 w - - 2 41

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