Chess Puzzle #Q5Qhc — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e2; rook g2; bishop c5; knight g5; pawns a4/b3/c4/d3/e5/f4. Black: king d7; queen h5; rook h4; bishop b7; knight g4; pawns a6/b4/c6/e6/h2. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4 — queen e2→e4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ne3 — knight g4→e3. Opponent replies Nf3 (knight g5→f3).
3. Best move: Nxg2 — knight e3→g2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qd4+ (queen e4→d4, gives check).
4. Best move: Kc8 — king d7→c8.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move is Ne3.

Position data

FEN: 8/1b1k4/p1p1p3/2B1P1Nq/PpP2Pnr/1P1P4/4Q1Rp/7K w - - 10 38

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