Chess Puzzle #AE1Ht — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e6; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop c5; knight g4; pawns a6/b7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne4 — knight c3→e4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen d8→d1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook a1→d1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nxf2 — knight g4→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nxf2 (knight e4→f2, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rxf3 — rook f8→f3, captures knight. Opponent replies Re2 (rook e6→e2).
5. Best move: Raf8 — rook a8→f8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, kingside attack, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxd1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/1p4pp/p3R3/2b5/6n1/2N2NP1/PPP2P1P/R2Q2K1 w - - 1 19

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