Chess Puzzle #F2xJ1 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen b3; rooks a5/b1; bishops e2/e3; pawns c3/d4/f2/g3. Black: king d8; queen g6; rooks h7/h8; bishop d7; pawns a7/b6/c7/e6/f7/g7/h3. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa7 — rook a5→a7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe4 — queen g6→e4. Opponent replies Rg1 (rook b1→g1).
3. Best move: Bc6 — bishop d7→c6. Opponent replies Bg5+ (bishop e3→g5, gives check).
4. Best move: f6 — pawn f7→f6. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen b3→d1).
5. Best move: fxg5 — pawn f6→g5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move is Qe4.

Position data

FEN: 3k3r/p1pb1ppr/1p2p1q1/R7/3P4/1QP1B1Pp/4BP1K/1R6 w - - 1 23

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