Chess Puzzle #XFAs4 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g6; rook f1; knight g4; pawns b5/c2/e4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rook d8; pawns a7/b6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe8+ — queen g6→e8, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kh7 — king g8→h7. Opponent replies Kg1 (king h1→g1).
3. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen f4→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf1 (king g1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxe8 — rook d8→e8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, endgame, long. The key move Qxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p5p1/1p4Qp/1P6/4PqN1/8/2P3PP/5R1K w - - 4 29

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