Chess Puzzle #1V1om — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; knight d7; pawns a3/c4/d4/d5/f2/g3. Black: king g8; queen h2; rooks b8/f8; knight f5; pawns a7/f7/g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf3 — queen d1→f3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb3+ — rook b8→b3, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb3 (king c3→b3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxd4+ — knight f5→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc3 (king b3→c3).
4. Best move: Nxf3 — knight d4→f3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, deflection, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Nxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/p2N1pp1/8/3P1n2/2PP4/P1K3P1/5P1q/R2QR3 w - - 7 29

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