Chess Puzzle #1hs7E — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c3; rooks d4/h1; pawns a2/b3/c2/e4/e6/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen b5; rooks b8/c8; knight c4; pawns a6/d6/e7/f6/g6/h5. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc4 — pawn b3→c4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb1+ — queen b5→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
3. Best move: Qxh1 — queen b1→h1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short, skewer. The key move is Qb1+.

Position data

FEN: 1rr5/4p1k1/p2pPpp1/1q5p/2nRPP2/1PQ5/P1P3PP/2K4R w - - 1 27

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