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

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rook e1; bishop g2; pawns b5/c6/d3/g3/h3. Black: king h8; queen c7; rook a8; knight e5; pawns b6/d4/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen c4→d4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf3 (bishop g2→f3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxg3+ — queen c7→g3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
4. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen g3→f3, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, endgame, exposed king, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Qxg3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r6k/2q3p1/1pP4p/1P2np2/2Qp4/3P2PP/6B1/4R1K1 w - - 0 35

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