Chess Puzzle #3Xk3n — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/f5; bishop e3; pawns a4/c5/d4/e5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c4; rooks b3/e8; bishop a6; pawns a7/c6/d5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook a1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen c4→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf1 (queen f3→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxf1 — bishop a6→f1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/p5pp/b1p5/2PpPR2/P1qP4/1r2BQ2/6PP/R5K1 w - - 4 25

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