Chess Puzzle #ECv55 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h8; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/d3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d5; rook d8; bishops e6/e7; knight g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: O-O — king e1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nf6 — knight g8→f6. Opponent replies Qg7 (queen h8→g7).
3. Best move: Rg8 — rook d8→g8. Opponent replies Qxg8+ (queen g7→g8, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Nxg8 — knight f6→g8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move is Nf6.

Position data

FEN: 2kr2nQ/ppp1bp1p/4b3/3q4/8/3B4/PPP2PPP/R1B1K2R w KQ - 0 13

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