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

Position

White: king f1; queen e6; rooks b1/e2; knights e5/f3; pawns a2/b2/c4/d4/f4/h2. Black: king b8; queen b5; rooks g2/g8; bishop e7; knights a5/d2; pawns a7/b7/d5/f5/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd2 — rook e2→d2, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc4 — knight a5→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nd7+ (knight e5→d7, gives check).
3. Best move: Ka8 — king b8→a8. Opponent replies Rxg2 (rook d2→g2, captures rook).
4. Best move: Ne3+ — knight c4→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
5. Best move: Rxg2+ — rook g8→g2, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
6. Best move: Qe2 — queen b5→e2.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered check, double check, exposed king, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Rxg2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k4r1/pp2b2p/4Q3/nq1pNp2/2PP1P2/5N2/PP1nR1rP/1R3K2 w - - 0 25

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