Chess Puzzle #ACgUl — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rook c1; bishop e2; knight c5; pawns a3/b4/e3/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen f7; rook f8; bishop b7; knight e5; pawns a6/b5/d5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook c1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen f7→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf1 (bishop e2→f1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
4. Best move: Nxd4 — knight f3→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1b3qp1/p6p/1pNpn3/1P1Q2P1/P3P3/4B2P/2R3K1 w - - 2 27

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