Chess Puzzle #jtXJ8 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen f3; rooks a1/h1; knight d3; pawns a2/f2/g2/g3. Black: king e7; queen d4; rook h8; bishop b5; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rhe1 — rook h1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rf8 — rook h8→f8. Opponent replies Qe2 (queen f3→e2).
3. Best move: Rxf2 — rook f8→f2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxf2 (queen e2→f2, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxd3+ — queen d4→d3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king d2→c1).
5. Best move: Qc3+ — queen d3→c3, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, exposed king, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Qxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 7r/pp2k1pp/4p3/1b1p4/3q4/3N1QP1/P2K1PP1/R6R w - - 3 24

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