Chess Puzzle #3Aw60 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen a5; rook a1; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3. Black: king d7; queen f4; bishop g3; knight g4; pawns b7/c6/e6/f5/f7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook a1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe3+ — queen f4→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king e2→d1).
3. Best move: Nf2+ — knight g4→f2, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf2 (rook f1→f2, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxf2 — queen e3→f2, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Qe3+.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p1k1p1p/2p1p3/Q4p2/5qn1/2NP1Nb1/PPP1K3/R7 w - - 5 31

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