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

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks a1/e1; bishops e3/g6; knights a3/e6; pawns a4/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen h4; rooks c8/f8; bishops b7/g7; knight e5; pawns a7/b6/c4/d6/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxg7 — knight e6→g7, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qg4 — queen h4→g4. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f2→f4).
3. Best move: Nf3+ — knight e5→f3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
4. Best move: Nxd2 — knight f3→d2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, pin. The key move is Qg4.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/pb4b1/1p1pN1Bp/4n3/P1p4q/N1P1B3/1P1Q1PPP/R3R1K1 w - - 3 20

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