Chess Puzzle #3EX1W — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen e3; rooks c1/f1; knights e6/f3; pawns a3/b4/d4/g4/h3. Black: king h7; queen d6; rooks b8/g8; knights c6/f5; pawns a6/b7/d5/f6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd3 — queen e3→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qg3+ — queen d6→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g2→h1).
3. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen g3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nh2 (knight f3→h2).
4. Best move: Qxd3 — queen h3→d3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4r1/1p5k/p1nqNp1p/3p1n2/1P1P2P1/P3QN1P/6K1/2R2R2 w - - 0 30

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