Chess Puzzle #3vVfb — Intermediate, Black to move, endgame

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; knight b5; pawns a2/b3/c4/h3. Black: king g8; queen g3; bishop f4; pawns f7/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight b5→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen g3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
3. Best move: Be3+ — bishop f4→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Qxe3 (queen e2→e3, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen h3→e3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p2/6p1/1N6/2P2b2/1P4qP/P3Q3/7K w - - 2 40

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