Chess Puzzle #jWtU1 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishop c4; knight d5; pawns a2/c2/d4/e4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen b2; rooks a8/h8; bishops f8/g4; pawns a7/b7/d6/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg4 — queen d1→g4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen b2→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king e1→e2).
3. Best move: Qb2 — queen a1→b2.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3kb1r/pp2pppp/3p4/3N4/2BPP1b1/8/PqP3PP/R2QK2R w KQkq - 1 12

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