Chess Puzzle #aK1Le — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e4; rooks a1/e1; bishop a2; knight e7; pawns a3/c3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen b2; rooks c8/f8; knight d3; pawns a6/c4/d6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook e1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa1 — queen b2→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxa1 (rook f1→a1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nf2+ — knight d3→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
4. Best move: Nxe4 — knight f2→e4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2r1k/4Npp1/p2p3p/8/2p1Q3/P1Pn4/Bq4PP/R3R2K w - - 1 26

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