Chess Puzzle #M74jg — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f7; rooks a1/f1; bishop b2; knight a3; pawns a2/b3/c2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b8; rooks d8/g8; bishops b7/d6; knight e5; pawns a7/b6/c7/h7. White is ahead by 9 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe5 — bishop b2→e5, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook g8→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Rxf2+ — rook g2→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
4. Best move: Rg2+ — rook f2→g2, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, discovered attack, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Rxg2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r2r1/pbp2Q1p/1p1b4/4n3/8/NP2P3/PBP2PPP/R4RK1 w - - 3 20

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