Chess Puzzle #xI49H — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen c2; rook e3; bishop f5; knight d1; pawns a3/b2/g2/h3. Black: king c7; queen h4; rook e8; bishop g6; pawns a7/b7/c6/d5/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king f2→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd4 — queen h4→d4. Opponent replies Qc3 (queen c2→c3).
3. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen d4→d1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
4. Best move: Rxe3 — rook e8→e3, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/ppk2p1p/2p3b1/3p1B2/7q/P3R2P/1PQ2KP1/3N4 w - - 3 26

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