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

Position

White: king e3; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; pawns a7/b7/c6/c7/e4/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe4 — knight c3→e4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf4+ — queen e5→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king e3→d3).
3. Best move: Rd8+ — rook f8→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc3 (king d3→c3).
4. Best move: Qe5+ — queen f4→e5, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move is Qf4+.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/ppp3pp/2p5/4q3/4p3/2N1K2P/PPP1B1P1/R1BQ3R w - - 2 13

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