Chess Puzzle #3VLKP — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h3; queen d1; rook e1; bishops f3/f4; knight e6; pawns a2/b2/c3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f2; rook e8; bishop b6; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc7 — knight e6→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe1 — rook e8→e1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qd5+ (queen d1→d5, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh8 — king g8→h8. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen d5→f5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Qxf3 — queen f2→f3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/ppp3p1/1bn1N2p/5p2/5B2/2P2BPK/PP3q1P/3QR3 w - - 2 26

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