Chess Puzzle #5MkAP — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d5; rook a1; pawns c5/e5/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen f4; rook e8; pawns a3/b7/g6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa3 — rook a1→a3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen f4→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
3. Best move: Qxa3 — queen c1→a3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, short. The key move is Qc1+.

Position data

FEN: 4r2k/1p4pp/6p1/2PQP3/5q2/p6P/6P1/R5K1 w - - 2 33

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