Chess Puzzle #IX1ty — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d1; rooks a1/f3; bishop e2; knight f4; pawns a4/b5/e5/g2. Black: king b8; queen h7; rook g8; bishop d4; knight b3; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/e6/g3. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nh3 — knight f4→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3 — queen h7→h3, captures knight. Opponent replies gxh3 (pawn g2→h3, captures queen).
3. Best move: g2+ — pawn g3→g2, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, master, master vs master, middlegame, sacrifice, short. The key move Qxh3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k4r1/ppp4q/4p3/1P1pP3/P2b1N2/1n3Rp1/4B1P1/R2Q1K2 w - - 2 33

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