Chess Puzzle #DEOc9 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen c7; rook f6; knights a3/e7; pawns b2/c3/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen e2; rook f8; knight e3; pawns d6/e5/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen c7→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: e4 — pawn e5→e4. Opponent replies Qxe4 (queen c6→e4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nf1+ — knight e3→f1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxf1 (rook f6→f1, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxe4 — queen e2→e4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move is e4.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/2Q1Np1k/3p1Rpp/4p3/8/N1P1n2P/1P2q1PK/8 w - - 9 29

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