Chess Puzzle #W19So — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen b3; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/c4; knight a3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/h2. Black: king h8; queen e8; rooks a8/f5; knight g6; pawns a7/d4/g7/h6. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd3 — bishop c4→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nh4+ — knight g6→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g2→h1).
3. Best move: Qc6+ — queen e8→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Be4 (bishop d3→e4).
4. Best move: Qxe4+ — queen c6→e4, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3q2k/p5p1/6np/5r2/2Bp4/NQ6/PPP2PKP/R1B2R2 w - - 1 18

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