Chess Puzzle #D7DF9 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen c4; rooks a1/h1; bishop f1; knight f3; pawns a3/c3/d4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rooks a8/e8; bishop f5; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nh4 — knight f3→h4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe5 — knight c6→e5, captures pawn. Opponent replies dxe5 (pawn d4→e5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxe5+ — rook e8→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Be2 (bishop f1→e2).
4. Best move: Bd3 — bishop f5→d3.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Rxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/ppp2pp1/2n3qp/4Pb2/2QP4/P1P2N2/5PPP/R3KB1R w KQ - 1 16

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