Chess Puzzle #1zKSQ — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen h4; rooks d1/h1; bishop d3; knight h5; pawns a2/b2/c2/f4/h3. Black: king f7; queen d4; rooks a8/g2; bishop f8; knight b6; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rhg1 — rook h1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe3+ — queen d4→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
3. Best move: Rxg1 — rook g2→g1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qf6+ (queen h4→f6, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg8 — king f7→g8.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is Qe3+.

Position data

FEN: r4b2/pp3k2/1np1p3/7N/3q1P1Q/3B3P/PPP3r1/2KR3R w - - 0 25

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