Chess Puzzle #5Xzal — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks e1/f1; bishop e3; knight d2; pawns a2/b3/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen d5; rooks e8/f8; bishop g5; knight h4; pawns a5/b5/c6/e4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxg5 — bishop e3→g5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxg5 — queen d5→g5, captures bishop. Opponent replies g3 (pawn g2→g3).
3. Best move: Qxd2 — queen g5→d2, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd2 (queen c2→d2, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nf3+ — knight h4→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
5. Best move: Nxd2 — knight f3→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, fork, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxg5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4rr1k/6pp/2p5/pp1q2b1/3Pp2n/1PP1B3/P1QN1PPP/4RRK1 w - - 3 24

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