Chess Puzzle #8ZLPf — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks a1/e1; bishop c1; pawns a2/b3/c2/d2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks f8/g4; knight d5; pawns c6/c7/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe2 — queen a6→e2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook g4→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxg2 (king g1→g2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nf4+ — knight d5→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g2→f1).
4. Best move: Nxe2 — knight f4→e2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxg2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2p2pp1/Q1pqp2p/3n4/6r1/1P6/P1PP1PPP/R1B1R1K1 w - - 1 19

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