Chess Puzzle #7xtPP — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks b5/e3; knight c6; pawns a2/d4/e6/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen f6; rooks a8/f8; bishop d6; pawns a7/b6/c7/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d5 — pawn d4→d5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen f6→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen c4→f1).
3. Best move: Bh2+ — bishop d6→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh2 (king g1→h2, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxf1 — queen a1→f1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move is Qa1+.

Position data

FEN: r4r2/p1p3pk/1pNbPq1p/1R3p2/2QP4/4R2P/P4PP1/6K1 w - - 3 25

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