Chess Puzzle #i4Aja — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen f7; rook e7; pawns a2/c2/c4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen d4; rook g8; pawns b4/c5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kb3 — king b2→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen d4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king b3→a4).
3. Best move: b3 — pawn b4→b3.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, short. The key move is Qc3+.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/4RQpp/8/2p5/1pPq4/6P1/PKP2P1P/8 w - - 7 31

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