Chess Puzzle #AhWxL — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rooks a1/e4; bishop h2; pawns a2/b2/f3/g2/h3. Black: king b8; queen c2; rooks e8/f8; knight d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/e5/g5/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook e4→d4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb2 — queen c2→b2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bxe5 (bishop h2→e5, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen b2→a1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k2rr2/ppp5/8/4p1p1/3nR2p/3Q1P1P/PPq3PB/R6K w - - 0 26

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