Chess Puzzle #1EbO2 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e5; rooks a1/h1; knight b1; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen d3; rooks c8/e8; pawns a7/f7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd4+ — queen e5→d4, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d3→d4, captures queen. Opponent replies cxd4 (pawn c3→d4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e1→d2).
4. Best move: Rxh1 — rook c1→h1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame, pin, skewer. The key move Qxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r3/p2k1p1p/8/4Q3/8/2PqP3/PP4PP/RN2K2R w KQ - 1 20

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