Chess Puzzle #ct03t — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen f3; rooks a1/f7; bishop d2; pawns a3/b2/c2/d4/e3/e5/g2. Black: king c8; queen h4; rook h8; bishops a6/h6; pawns a7/b6/c7/d5/e6/g5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg1 — king f2→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: g4 — pawn g5→g4. Opponent replies Qf6 (queen f3→f6).
3. Best move: Bg5 — bishop h6→g5. Opponent replies Qxh8+ (queen f6→h8, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxh8 — queen h4→h8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

clearance, crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is g4.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/p1p2R2/bp2p2b/3pP1p1/3P3q/P3PQ2/1PPB1KP1/R7 w - - 6 25

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