Chess Puzzle #2icO4 — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook c1; pawns c7/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen e2; rook f8; bishop e5; pawns d4/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe5 — queen f4→e5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5 — queen e2→e5, captures queen. Opponent replies c8=Q (pawn c7→c8, promotes to queen).
3. Best move: Rxc8 — rook f8→c8, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc8+ (rook c1→c8, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh7 — king g8→h7.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, hanging piece, long. The key move Qxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2P2pp1/7p/4b3/3p1Q2/6P1/4qP1P/2R3K1 w - - 1 38

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