Chess Puzzle #53pax — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rook d6; bishop b2; pawns a2/c4/e5/f5/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook d8; knight c8; pawns a7/b6/c5/e6/f6/h4. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: fxe6 — pawn f5→e6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxd6 — knight c8→d6, captures rook. Opponent replies exf6 (pawn e5→f6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qxe6 — queen e7→e6, captures pawn. Opponent replies f7+ (pawn f6→f7, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxf7 — king g8→f7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, crushing, endgame, intermezzo, long. The key move Nxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2nr2k1/p3q3/1p1Rpp2/2p1PP2/2P3Pp/2Q4P/PB6/6K1 w - - 0 34

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