Chess Puzzle #kQu8b — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks b1/f1; bishops b2/g2; knight e5; pawns a3/b4/d3/e2/f2/g3. Black: king b8; queen d6; rooks d8/h6; bishops d5/e7; knight f5; pawns a7/c6/c7/d4/g5/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd4 — bishop b2→d4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight f5→d4, captures bishop. Opponent replies b5 (pawn b4→b5).
3. Best move: cxb5 — pawn c6→b5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxb5+ (rook b1→b5, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Nxb5 — knight d4→b5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r4/p1p1b3/Q1pq3r/3bNnpp/1P1p4/P2P2P1/1B2PPB1/1R3RK1 w - - 1 24

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