Chess Puzzle #Xzu3m — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g6; rooks e1/e3; knight c3; pawns a2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks b2/f8; bishop e6; pawns a7/c7/f5/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxg2+ — rook b2→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxg2 — queen g6→g2, captures rook. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f5→f4).
3. Best move: Na4 — knight c3→a4. Opponent replies Qxe3+ (queen b6→e3, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Rxe3 — rook e1→e3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxg2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/p1p3p1/1q2b1Qp/5p2/8/2N1R3/Pr4PP/4R1K1 b - - 1 22

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