Chess Puzzle #1Xb7Q — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rooks f1/g7; pawns a2/b4/d5/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen e3; rook e8; knight f6; pawns a3/b7/d6/g6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e3→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: Qxf6 — queen e5→f6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/1pQ3R1/3p1np1/3P4/1P6/p3q2P/P5P1/5R1K w - - 1 37

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