Chess Puzzle #6tgOV — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d1; bishop b1; pawns a2/b3/c4/d5/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g7; queen c3; knight d2; pawns a5/b6/c7/f7/g6/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxh4 — pawn g3→h4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen c3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
3. Best move: Nf3+ — knight d2→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf3 (queen d1→f3, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxf3 — queen h3→f3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p2pk1/1p4p1/p2P4/2P4p/1Pq3PP/P2n1P2/1B1Q3K w - - 0 43

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