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

Position

White: king f1; queen g4; rooks a1/e1; bishop e3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2. Black: king e8; queen d6; rooks a8/h8; knight e4; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf4 — bishop e3→f4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa6+ — queen d6→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
3. Best move: Rh1+ — rook h8→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Kxh1 (king g1→h1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nxf2+ — knight e4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
5. Best move: Nxg4 — knight f2→g4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, deflection, fork, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Nxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/pp4p1/3qp3/3p4/3Pn1Q1/2P1B3/PP3PP1/R3RK2 w kq - 1 23

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