Chess Puzzle #S10Xa — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen h7; rook d1; bishop f1; knight g5; pawns a2/b3/g4/h2. Black: king f8; queen f6; rook c5; bishop d7; pawns a7/b7/d6/e7/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight g5→e4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf3+ — queen f6→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
3. Best move: Qxg4+ — queen f3→g4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ng3 (knight e4→g3).
4. Best move: Rh5 — rook c5→h5.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5k2/pp1bpp1Q/3p1qp1/2r3N1/6P1/1P6/P6P/3R1B1K w - - 4 31

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