Chess Puzzle #1ECwm — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e1; rook c1; bishop h1; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/d3/e2/h2. Black: king e8; queen e3; rook a8; bishop f8; knight f4; pawns a7/c6/f7/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg3 — queen e1→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen e3→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc1 (king b1→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxe2+ — knight f4→e2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
4. Best move: Nxg3 — knight e2→g3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3kb2/p4pp1/2p5/8/4Nn2/3Pq3/PP2P2P/1KR1Q2B w q - 2 24

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