Chess Puzzle #2ZKKL — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rook a1; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2/f3/h3. Black: king h6; queen e6; bishop g5; knight e5; pawns b6/b7/h4. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: f4 — pawn f3→f4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen e6→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
3. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf3 (queen e4→f3, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxf3 — queen h3→f3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p6/1p2q2k/4n1b1/4Q2p/3P1P1P/PPP2P2/R6K w - - 4 34

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