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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/f1; bishop e3; knight e2; pawns a2/b2/e7/f2. Black: king f7; queen h5; rook a8; bishop d6; knight g4; pawns a7/b7/c6/g3/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc4+ — queen d3→c4, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ke8 — king f7→e8. Opponent replies Qg8+ (queen c4→g8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kd7 — king e8→d7. Opponent replies Qxg4+ (queen g8→g4, captures knight, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxg4 — queen h5→g4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Ke8.

Position data

FEN: r7/pp2Pk1p/2pb4/7q/6n1/3QB1p1/PP2NP2/R4RK1 w - - 0 25

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