Chess Puzzle #EHJa4 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g2; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/f3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3. Black: king e8; queen d6; rooks a8/h8; knights c6/f6; pawns a6/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxg7 — queen g2→g7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rg8 — rook h8→g8. Opponent replies Qxf6 (queen g7→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qg3 — queen d6→g3. Opponent replies Bg4 (bishop f3→g4).
4. Best move: Qxg4 — queen g3→g4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxf7+ (queen f6→f7, captures pawn, gives check).
5. Best move: Kd8 — king e8→d8. Opponent replies Qxg8+ (queen f7→g8, captures rook, gives check).
6. Best move: Qxg8 — queen g4→g8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move is Rg8.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/1p3pp1/p1nqpn2/3p3p/3P4/2N1PB2/PP4Q1/R1B2R1K w kq - 2 18

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