Chess Puzzle #1x4tN — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d3; rook f7; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/e5/g2. Black: king h6; queen a5; rook a4; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf6 — rook f7→f6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen a5→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kc2 (king b1→c2).
3. Best move: Rc4+ — rook a4→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen d3→c4, captures rook).
4. Best move: dxc4 — pawn d5→c4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 8/1p3R2/p3p1pk/q2pP3/r2P4/3QP3/PP4P1/1K6 w - - 0 28

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