Chess Puzzle #ZfV2U — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen d4; rooks a1/h1; bishop f4; pawns a2/b3/c4/e5/g3. Black: king h8; queen g7; rooks g8/h7; knight h5; pawns a6/d7/e6/f5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh3 — rook h1→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxf4 — knight h5→f4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxh7+ (rook h3→h7, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxh7 — queen g7→h7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf4 (queen d4→f4, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qh2+ — queen h7→h2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf3 (king f2→f3).
5. Best move: Rg4 — rook g8→g4. Opponent replies Qxg4 (queen f4→g4, captures rook).
6. Best move: fxg4+ — pawn f5→g4, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, very long. The key move fxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/3p2qr/p3p3/4Pp1n/2PQ1B2/1P4P1/P4K2/R6R w - - 5 37

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