Chess Puzzle #44Dzx — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks c1/h1; bishop h7; knight d7; pawns a4/b5/c3/d4/f2/g2. Black: king h8; queen f4; rooks c8/f8; knight d6; pawns a5/b7/d5/e6/f7/g5/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g3 — pawn g2→g3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe4+ — queen f4→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e1→f1).
3. Best move: Qxh1+ — queen e4→h1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxh1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r1k/1p1N1p1B/3np1p1/pP1p2p1/P2P1q2/2P5/5PP1/2RQK2R w K - 2 24

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