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

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks a1/e1; knights c3/c6; pawns a4/b2/c4/d3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen g5; rooks g8/h8; bishops b6/g4; pawns a7/f4/f7/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg4 — pawn h3→g4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: hxg4 — pawn h5→g4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ne7+ (knight c6→e7, gives check).
3. Best move: Kb8 — king c8→b8. Opponent replies Qe2 (queen f3→e2).
4. Best move: g3 — pawn g4→g3. Opponent replies Qe5+ (queen e2→e5, gives check).
5. Best move: Qxe5 — queen g5→e5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move hxg4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2k3rr/p4p2/1bN5/6qp/P1P2pb1/2NP1Q1P/1P3PP1/R3R1K1 w - - 3 21

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