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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rook d5; pawns b3/c4/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook c8; pawns a6/b4/c5/e5/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe5 — rook d5→e5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a5→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Qxe5+ — queen a1→e5, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, master, master vs master, short. The key move Qxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5p1p/p5p1/q1pRp3/1pP5/1P2P2P/2Q2PP1/6K1 w - - 2 26

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