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

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rooks a1/f1; bishops c4/e3; knights d2/h2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4. Black: king h8; queen h3; rooks a8/f8; bishop e7; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf4 — bishop e3→f4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nh5 — knight f6→h5. Opponent replies Qe3 (queen f2→e3).
3. Best move: Nxf4 — knight h5→f4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxh3 (queen e3→h3, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nxh3+ — knight f4→h3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Nxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/ppp1b1pp/2n2n2/8/2BPp3/2P1B2q/PP1N1Q1N/R4RK1 w - - 0 19

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