Chess Puzzle #4z4CY — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; knights a4/h4; pawns a2/b3/c2/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e8; bishops d6/h5; pawns a7/c6/d5/f6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf5 — knight h4→f5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e8→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen d3→f1).
3. Best move: Bh2+ — bishop d6→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king g1→h2, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxf1 — queen e1→f1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, endgame, kingside attack, long. The key move is Qe1+.

Position data

FEN: 4q1k1/p4pp1/2pb1p1p/3p3b/N2P3N/1P1Q3P/P1P2PP1/6K1 w - - 0 23

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