Chess Puzzle #I7l30 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen d3; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/f4; knight c3; pawns a4/b2/c2/d5/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen c5; rooks a8/e8; bishops d7/f6; pawns a7/b6/d6/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Be3 — bishop f4→e3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxe3 — rook e8→e3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxe3 (queen d3→e3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bd4 — bishop f6→d4. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen e3→d4, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen c5→d4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin, sacrifice. The key move Qxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/p2b2pp/1p1p1b2/2qP1p2/P4B1P/2NQ4/1PP2KP1/R4B1R w - - 1 22

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