Chess Puzzle #8rlPg — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen g4; rooks e1/g1; bishop f2; knight e3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f4/g3. Black: king b8; queen e4; rooks e7/e8; bishop d6; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/c7/d5/h3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf5 — knight e3→f5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc2 — queen e4→c2. Opponent replies Nxe7 (knight f5→e7, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen c2→f2, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king h2→h1).
4. Best move: Rxe7 — rook e8→e7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice. The key move Qxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k2r3/1pp1r3/p1nb4/3p4/3PqPQ1/2P1N1Pp/PP3B1K/4R1R1 w - - 2 26

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