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

Position

White: king f1; queen d4; rooks d1/e1; bishop b3; knight e4; pawns a4/b2/c3/f2/g2. Black: king e7; queen h4; rooks d6/f8; bishop e6; knight f3; pawns a6/b7/d5/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: gxf3 — pawn g2→f3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh1+ — queen h4→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
3. Best move: Qxf3+ — queen h1→f3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e2→d2).
4. Best move: dxe4 — pawn d5→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd6+ (queen d4→d6, captures rook, gives check).
5. Best move: Kxd6 — king e7→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Qxf3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5r2/1p2k1p1/p2rb3/3p4/P2QN2q/1BP2n2/1P3PP1/3RRK2 w - - 3 32

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