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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks e1/f1; pawns a2/b2/c4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook f8; knights e4/f4; pawns a7/b7/c6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe4 — queen c2→e4, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nh3+ — knight f4→h3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook f8→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook e1→f1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nf2+ — knight h3→f2, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, discovered attack, endgame, long, master, pin. The key move Rxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/pp4pp/2p5/6q1/2P1nn2/8/PPQ3PP/4RRK1 w - - 0 23

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