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

Position

White: king e1; queen c6; rooks a1/h1; bishop f1; knight d4; pawns a2/b2/e2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g7; queen b8; rooks a8/h8; bishop e7; pawns a7/c7/d6/f6/f7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b2→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb4+ — queen b8→b4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king e1→f2).
3. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen b4→d4, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies e3 (pawn e2→e3).
4. Best move: Qxa1 — queen d4→a1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rq5r/p1p1bpkp/2Qp1p2/8/3N1P2/8/PP2P1PP/R3KB1R w KQ - 5 16

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