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

Position

White: king g1; queen h5; rooks a1/f1; knights b1/c7; pawns a2/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen g8; rooks a8/g6; knights b4/e7; pawns a7/b7/d6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa8 — knight c7→a8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook g6→g2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Nd3 — knight b4→d3. Opponent replies Qa5+ (queen h5→a5, gives check).
4. Best move: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Opponent replies Qd2 (queen a5→d2).
5. Best move: Nxf2+ — knight d3→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf2 (queen d2→f2, captures knight).
6. Best move: Rxf2 — rook g2→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, very long. The key move Rxg2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2k2q1/ppN1n3/3p2r1/7Q/1n2P3/8/P4PPP/RN3RK1 w - - 1 21

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