Chess Puzzle #ShpQ9 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/f1; bishop e3; knight h7; pawns a3/b2/c3/d4/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen c7; rook d8; bishop c6; knight g6; pawns a7/b5/c4/e4/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook f1→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf7 — queen c7→f7, captures rook. Opponent replies Rf1 (rook a1→f1).
3. Best move: Qe8 — queen f7→e8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/p1q2ppN/2b1p1np/1p5Q/2pPp3/P1P1B3/1P4PP/R4RK1 w - - 2 22

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