Chess Puzzle #I8H4Z — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rooks c1/f1; knight c3; pawns a3/b3/d5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d4; rooks d6/g8; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/h3. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nb5 — knight c3→b5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook g8→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Rg1+ — rook g2→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxg1 (rook f1→g1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qe4+ — queen d4→e4, gives check. Opponent replies f3 (pawn f2→f3).
5. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen e4→f3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rg2 (rook g1→g2).
6. Best move: Qxg2# — queen f3→g2, captures rook, delivers checkmate.

Tactical themes

kingside attack, mate, mate in 5, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The combination ends with Qxg2# delivering checkmate.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/ppp2Q2/3r1n2/3P4/3q4/PPN4p/5PPP/2R2RK1 w - - 0 23

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