Chess Puzzle #e4avE — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a5; rooks a1/h1; bishop g2; knights c2/g1; pawns a2/c4/d3/e4/f2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rook f8; bishops b2/h5; knight b6; pawns a7/c5/d6/e6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb1 — rook a1→b1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc4 — knight b6→c4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxd8 (queen a5→d8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bc3+ — bishop b2→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e1→f1).
4. Best move: Nd2+ — knight c4→d2, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Nxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3q1rk1/p4p1p/1n1pp1p1/Q1p4b/2P1P3/3P4/PbN2PBP/R3K1NR w KQ - 0 20

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