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

Position

White: king f1; queen e2; rook a1; knight e5; pawns b2/b4/g2/h2. Black: king b6; queen h4; rook g8; knight f5; pawns c4/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc4+ — knight e5→c4, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc4 — queen h4→c4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen e2→c4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne3+ — knight f5→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king f1→f2).
4. Best move: Nxc4 — knight e3→c4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, fork, long, master, sacrifice. The key move Qxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6r1/5p1p/1k6/4Nn2/1Pp4q/8/1P2Q1PP/R4K2 w - - 0 31

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