Chess Puzzle #4PcQt — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g7; rooks a1/f1; knights e4/g3; pawns a2/b2/c4/g5/h4. Black: king c8; queen e3; rook d2; knight f4; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g6. White is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd2 — knight e4→d2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd2+ — queen e3→d2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Ne2 (knight g3→e2).
3. Best move: Qxe2+ — queen d2→e2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h2→g3).
4. Best move: Nh5+ — knight f4→h5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k5/pp3pQ1/4p1p1/6P1/2P1Nn1P/4q1N1/PP1r3K/R4R2 w - - 2 26

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