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

Position

White: king h2; queen h5; rooks a1/g1; bishop h3; knight f5; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/h4. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/f7; bishops b7/g7; pawns a6/b5/c4/e5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxg7 — knight f5→g7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f6→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rg2 (rook g1→g2).
3. Best move: Bxg2 — bishop b7→g2, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxg2 (bishop h3→g2, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Rxg7 — rook f7→g7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, crushing, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1b3rb1/p4q2/1p2pN1Q/2p4P/2P4B/PP3P1K/R5R1 w - - 3 31

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