Chess Puzzle #CDVZ4 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks a1/f1; bishops e2/g3; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks a8/e8; bishop c8; knights f6/h5; pawns a6/b7/c7/f7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen c2→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxg3 — knight h5→g3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxg3 (queen c7→g3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Ne4 — knight f6→e4. Opponent replies Qe5 (queen g3→e5).
4. Best move: Qd8 — queen e7→d8.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Nxg3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1r1k1/1pp1qp2/p4n1p/6pn/3P4/4PNB1/PPQ1BPPP/R4RK1 w - - 0 15

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