Chess Puzzle #Il5gh — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen b3; rooks d6/h1; bishop f1; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/e2/f4/g2/h6. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks b8/f8; bishop c8; knight d7; pawns a7/c6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxb8 — queen b3→b8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen f6→f4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies e3 (pawn e2→e3).
3. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen f4→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
4. Best move: Nxb8 — knight d7→b8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rb2rk1/p2n1p1p/2pR1qpP/8/5P2/1Q3N2/PP2P1P1/2K2B1R w - - 0 18

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