Chess Puzzle #4CpJW — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d6; knight f3; pawns a4/c4/d5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f1; knight f2; pawns c5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc5 — queen d6→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh1+ — queen f1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h2→g3).
3. Best move: Ne4+ — knight f2→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf4 (king g3→f4).
4. Best move: Nxc5 — knight e4→c5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Qh1+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5p1p/3Q2p1/2pP4/P1P5/5N1P/5nPK/5q2 w - - 1 40

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