Chess Puzzle #8Q9s1 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; knight c8; pawns a4/b2/c3/c5/f3/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rook d8; bishop g7; knights c6/f6; pawns a5/b7/d4/f4/f7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb7 — queen b5→b7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxg4 — knight f6→g4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxf4 (bishop c1→f4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qf2+ — queen c2→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
4. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen f2→f3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2Nr2k1/1p3pb1/2n2n1p/pQP5/P2p1pP1/2P2P2/1Pq4P/R1B1R1K1 w - - 0 28

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