Chess Puzzle #xmL2x — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g5; rook g7; bishops a2/h6; knight f5; pawns a3/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c3; rook c8; bishop b7; knight b8; pawns a6/b5/d6/f7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf7 — rook g7→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen c3→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
3. Best move: Rc1+ — rook c8→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
4. Best move: Rc2+ — rook c1→c2, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1nr4k/1b3pR1/p2p3B/1p3NQ1/8/P1q4P/B5P1/7K w - - 0 40

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