Chess Puzzle #1HS5Q — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c5; rook e1; pawns a2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen f6; rook e7; pawns a7/b7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe7 — rook e1→e7, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf1+ — queen f6→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Qg1 (queen c5→g1).
3. Best move: Qxg1+ — queen f1→g1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg1 (king h1→g1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Kxe7 — king f8→e7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxg1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/pp2r1pp/5q2/2Q5/2P5/8/P5PP/4R2K w - - 4 33

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