Chess Puzzle #XXU2j — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; bishops f1/g3; knight f3; pawns e3/f2/g2/h5. Black: king g8; queen b1; rook c1; knight e4; pawns d5/e6/f6/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bh4 — bishop g3→h4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc3 — knight e4→c3. Opponent replies Qa6 (queen e2→a6).
3. Best move: Rxf1+ — rook c1→f1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf1 (queen a6→f1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
5. Best move: Qxf1 — queen b1→f1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, middlegame, pin, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/6p1/4pp1p/3p3P/4n3/4PNB1/4QPP1/1qr2BK1 w - - 1 31

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