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

Position

White: king h2; queen f7; rook f3; bishop e3; knight d2; pawns a3/b2/d4/e5/f2/g2/g5. Black: king d8; queen e1; rook c1; bishop a6; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/g6/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxe6 — queen f7→e6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh1+ — queen e1→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kg3 (king h2→g3).
3. Best move: Rg1 — rook c1→g1. Opponent replies Rf8+ (rook f3→f8, gives check).
4. Best move: Nxf8 — knight d7→f8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qf6+ (queen e6→f6, gives check).
5. Best move: Ke8 — king d8→e8.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, defensive move, middlegame, very long. The key move is Qh1+.

Position data

FEN: 3k4/p2n1Q2/bp2p1p1/3pP1Pp/3P4/P3BR2/1P1N1PPK/2r1q3 w - - 1 32

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