Chess Puzzle #N386L — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/d1; knight f4; pawns a3/b2/c3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks c7/f8; knight e4; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/g5/h4. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg4 — queen e2→g4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxf4 — rook f8→f4, captures knight. Opponent replies exf4 (pawn e3→f4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxf2 — knight e4→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxg5+ (queen g4→g5, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Rg7 — rook c7→g7.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxf4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/ppr5/1q2p3/3p2p1/4nN1p/P1P1P3/1P2QPPP/R2R2K1 w - - 0 23

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