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

Position

White: king h1; queen c7; rooks e1/e2; knight d3; pawns a4/b5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f6; rook d8; bishops b3/e3; pawns a7/c2/d4/f4/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf4 — knight d3→f4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxf4 — bishop e3→f4, captures knight. Opponent replies Re8+ (rook e2→e8, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxe8 — rook d8→e8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe8+ (rook e1→e8, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Bg8 — bishop b3→g8.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Bxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/p1Q5/5qp1/1P5p/P2p1p2/1b1NbP2/2p1R1PP/4R2K w - - 0 39

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