Chess Puzzle #1VNOo — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f4; rooks e1/h1; bishop g5; pawns a3/c2/d4/f2/h6. Black: king h7; queen f8; rook c8; bishop d7; knight c3; pawns a6/b5/d5/f5/g6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re7+ — rook e1→e7, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe7 — queen f8→e7, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxe7 (bishop g5→e7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king c1→b2).
4. Best move: Nxf4 — knight e2→f4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxe7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2q2/3b3k/p5pP/1p1p1pB1/3P1Q2/P1n5/2P2P2/2K1R2R w - - 2 35

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