Chess Puzzle #7kE1g — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen b7; rooks f7/h1; bishop f1; knight g3; pawns f4/g4/h2. Black: king d4; queen a3; rooks b8/f8; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne2+ — knight g3→e2, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ke3 — king d4→e3. Opponent replies Qc6 (queen b7→c6).
3. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a3→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Qc1+ (queen c6→c1, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen a1→c1, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r3r2/pQ3Rpp/1p2p3/3p4/3k1PP1/q5N1/7P/4KB1R w K - 3 25

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