Chess Puzzle #LUb72 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b7; rook c1; bishop b2; knight e5; pawns a2/b3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook d8; bishop b8; knight f4; pawns a7/f7/g6/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc6 — knight e5→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxg2 — knight f4→g2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nxd8 (knight c6→d8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen e6→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
4. Best move: Qh2+ — queen h3→h2, gives check.

Tactical themes

capturing the defender, crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1b1r2k1/pQ3pp1/4q1p1/4N3/5n2/1P5P/PB4P1/2R4K w - - 0 29

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