Chess Puzzle #4SFQy — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rooks a1/d5; bishop c1; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/f2/g2. Black: king f7; queen c7; rooks e8/h8; bishop h2; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe8+ — queen e2→e8, captures rook, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe8 — rook h8→e8, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxc7 (knight b5→c7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bxc7 — bishop h2→c7, captures knight. Opponent replies Rd7+ (rook d5→d7, gives check).
4. Best move: Nxd7 — knight f6→d7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r2r/ppq2kpp/5n2/1NpR4/8/3P4/PPP1QPPb/R1B4K w - - 2 18

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