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

Position

White: king g1; queen a3; rook f2; pawns b4/b5/c6/d5/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen e4; rook e8; pawns b6/c7/d6/f3/g4/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg4 — pawn h3→g4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e4→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Qxf2 — queen e1→f2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, short. The key move is Qe1+.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/2p4k/1pPp3p/1P1P4/1P2q1p1/Q4p1P/5RP1/6K1 w - - 0 40

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