Chess Puzzle #pj28w — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; knight h4; pawns a6/b6/c3/d4/f2/g2. Black: king c8; queen g4; rooks g8/h8; bishop c6; knight e7; pawns a7/c7/d5/f6/h3/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxa7 — pawn b6→a7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh4 — queen g4→h4, captures knight. Opponent replies a8=Q+ (pawn a7→a8, promotes to queen, gives check).
3. Best move: Bxa8 — bishop c6→a8, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxe7 (rook e1→e7, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qg4 — queen h4→g4. Opponent replies Qd7+ (queen a4→d7, gives check).
5. Best move: Qxd7 — queen g4→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, hanging piece, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxh4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k3rr/p1p1n3/PPb2p2/3p3p/Q2P2qN/2P4p/5PP1/R1B1R1K1 w - - 0 24

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