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

Position

White: king b1; queen h7; rooks d3/h1; knights c3/e2; pawns a2/b3/c2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen e5; rooks b8/e8; bishops a3/g4; pawns a7/c6/f6/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight e2→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe1+ — queen e5→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Nd1 (knight c3→d1).
3. Best move: Qxh1 — queen e1→h1, captures rook. Opponent replies Nf5 (knight d4→f5).
4. Best move: Bxf5 — bishop g4→f5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Qe1+.

Position data

FEN: 1r2r3/p4kpQ/2p2p2/3Pq3/6b1/bPNR4/P1P1N1PP/1K5R w - - 5 19

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