Chess Puzzle #07XXn — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen f6; knight e4; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/g3. Black: king h6; queen g1; knight e3; pawns a5/c6/c7/e6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe6 — queen f6→e6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen g1→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Ka3 (king b3→a3).
3. Best move: Nc2+ — knight e3→c2, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king a3→a4).
4. Best move: Nxd4+ — knight c2→d4, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, discovered check, endgame, long. The key move Nxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/2p4p/2p1pQpk/p7/3PN3/1KP1n1P1/PP6/6q1 w - - 2 27

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