Chess Puzzle #Ijp2q — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen e8; rook h3; pawns a3/b4/d4/e3/f2/g5/h4. Black: king h7; queen e2; rook c1; knight d5; pawns a6/b7/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxf7 — queen e8→f7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qg4+ — queen e2→g4, gives check. Opponent replies Rg3 (rook h3→g3).
3. Best move: Nxe3+ — knight d5→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies fxe3 (pawn f2→e3, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rc2+ — rook c1→c2, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin, sacrifice. The key move Nxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4Q3/1p3ppk/p6p/3n2P1/1P1P3P/P3P2R/4qPK1/2r5 w - - 2 37

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