Chess Puzzle #C3xEt — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d4; rooks a2/h1; bishop b4; knight g1; pawns a3/c4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen a4; rook d8; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e3/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 6 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe3 — queen d4→e3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd1+ — queen a4→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king e1→f2).
3. Best move: Ng4+ — knight f6→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king f2→g3).
4. Best move: Nxe3 — knight g4→e3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Qd1+.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/ppp2ppp/5n2/8/qBPQ1P2/P3p3/R5PP/4K1NR w K - 1 18

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