Chess Puzzle #Ax7o4 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen e2; rooks a1/f7; bishop c4; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/e3/e4/h5. Black: king g8; queen h4; rook a8; bishop h7; knight a5; pawns a6/b7/c7/d6/e5/g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf4+ — rook f7→f4, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc4+ — knight a5→c4, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies dxc4 (pawn d3→c4, captures knight).
3. Best move: exf4 — pawn e5→f4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1pp2Rpb/p2p4/n3p2P/2B1P2q/3PP3/PPPKQ3/R7 w - - 2 20

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