Chess Puzzle #ZCAXe — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks d1/f1; bishops e2/e3; knight c3; pawns a3/c5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e5; rooks d8/e8; bishop f5; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd3 — bishop e2→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ng4 — knight f6→g4. Opponent replies g3 (pawn g2→g3).
3. Best move: Nxe3 — knight g4→e3, captures bishop. Opponent replies fxe3 (pawn f2→e3, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen e5→e3, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, kingside attack, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/ppp2ppp/5n2/2P1qb2/8/P1N1B3/2Q1BPPP/3R1RK1 w - - 6 19

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