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

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks a1/e1; knight e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/g3. Black: king h7; queen h3; rooks f8/h8; pawns a7/b7/c7/g4/g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd3+ — queen c4→d3, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kg8 — king h7→g8. Opponent replies Qc4+ (queen d3→c4, gives check).
3. Best move: Rf7 — rook f8→f7. Opponent replies Qxf7+ (queen c4→f7, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxf7 — king g8→f7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Kg8.

Position data

FEN: 5r1r/ppp3pk/8/8/2QP2p1/6Pq/PPP1N3/R3R1K1 w - - 5 24

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