Chess Puzzle #a3Ct5 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen d6; bishop b4; pawns a4/b3/d4/f2/h4. Black: king h7; queen e8; bishop e4; pawns a6/d5/f3/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa6 — queen d6→a6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qg8 — queen e8→g8. Opponent replies Qf1 (queen a6→f1).
3. Best move: Qb8+ — queen g8→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king h2→h1).
4. Best move: Qxb4 — queen b8→b4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, fork, long, quiet move. The key move is Qg8.

Position data

FEN: 4q3/7k/p2Q3p/3p4/PB1Pb2P/1P3p2/5P1K/8 w - - 1 39

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