Chess Puzzle #AjE5M — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h3; rooks b1/h1; bishop d2; knights a8/g1; pawns a2/c4/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen c5; rook h8; bishops a6/e7; knight d7; pawns a7/c6/d6/e5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf3 — knight g1→f3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc4 — queen c5→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rb8+ (rook b1→b8, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxb8 — knight d7→b8, captures rook. Opponent replies Ba5+ (bishop d2→a5, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke8 — king d8→e8. Opponent replies Nc7+ (knight a8→c7, gives check).
5. Best move: Kf8 — king e8→f8.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Qxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: N2k3r/p2nbppp/b1pp4/2q1p3/2P1P3/7Q/P2B1PPP/1R2K1NR w K - 5 18

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