Chess Puzzle #ImIe1 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e3; queen c2; pawns a3/b4/f2/h3. Black: king g6; queen d7; pawns a7/b6/e4/f4/h4. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxf4 — king e3→f4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf5+ — queen d7→f5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king f4→e3).
3. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen f5→h3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, queen endgame, short. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p2q4/1p4k1/8/1P2pp1p/P3K2P/2Q2P2/8 w - - 0 42

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