Chess Puzzle #1zi9v — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen g5; rooks a1/h1; bishops b3/c1; knight e4; pawns a2/c3/d4/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rook b8; bishops g3/g4; knight b6; pawns a7/c7/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg3 — pawn h2→g3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen g6→e4, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Be3 (bishop c1→e3).
3. Best move: Qxh1+ — queen e4→h1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p1p2ppp/1n2p1q1/6Q1/3PN1b1/1BP3b1/P4P1P/R1B1K2R w KQ - 0 18

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