Chess Puzzle #1JLJ3 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rook c1; pawns a3/b4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen f2; bishop d5; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc7 — rook c1→c7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen f2→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king h1→h2).
3. Best move: Qe5+ — queen e1→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h2→g1).
4. Best move: Qxc7 — queen e5→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Qe1+.

Position data

FEN: 8/5p1k/p3p1pp/1p1b4/1P6/P2Q1P1P/5qP1/2R4K w - - 4 33

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