Chess Puzzle #50gam — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h3; rooks a1/h1; bishop d2; pawns a3/b5/d5/e4/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen a4; rooks b8/f8; pawns a7/c5/d6/e7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb1 — rook a1→b1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen a4→e4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qe3 (queen h3→e3).
3. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen e4→b1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r1k1r2/p3p2p/3p2p1/1PpP4/q3P3/P6Q/3B2PP/R3K2R w KQ - 3 22

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