Chess Puzzle #4ikq9 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f3; rooks c7/e6; pawns a2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen c2; pawns a6/b5/d5/f5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa6 — rook e6→a6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe4+ — queen c2→e4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king f3→f2).
3. Best move: Qf4+ — queen e4→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f2→e2).
4. Best move: Qxc7 — queen f4→c7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, fork, long, queen rook endgame. The key move is Qe4+.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/2R5/p3R3/1p1p1p2/3P4/2P2K2/P1q3PP/8 w - - 4 39

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