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

Position

White: king c1; queen c5; rooks c2/h1; knights c3/e2; pawns a3/d5/e3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d3; rooks b3/b8; knight c4; pawns a7/c7/f6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook h1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxa3 — rook b3→a3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxa3 (queen c5→a3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen d3→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Rdd2 (rook d1→d2).
4. Best move: Nxa3 — knight c4→a3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, exposed king, intermezzo, long, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice. The key move Qxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/p1p2pp1/5p1p/2QP4/2n5/PrNqPP2/2R1N1PP/2K4R w - - 3 28

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