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

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks d1/f4; knight b5; pawns a4/e3. Black: king h8; queen e5; rooks a8/h3; pawns a5/b7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rdf1 — rook d1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qg5+ — queen e5→g5, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king g1→f2).
3. Best move: Qxf4+ — queen g5→f4, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies exf4 (pawn e3→f4, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxb3 — rook h3→b3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Qxf4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r6k/1p4pp/8/pN2q3/P4R2/1Q2P2r/8/3R2K1 w - - 0 27

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