Chess Puzzle #a8Uhx — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen c3; rook d1; pawns a4/b3/e4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king f7; queen f4; knight e5; pawns a5/e6/e7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa5 — queen c3→a5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxf3 — knight e5→f3, captures pawn. Opponent replies gxf3 (pawn g2→f3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen f4→f3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, short. The key move Qxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/4pk1p/4p1p1/p3n3/P3Pq2/1PQ2P1P/6P1/3R3K w - - 4 40

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