Chess Puzzle #mCQmI — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook f1; pawns a3/c5/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g6; rook f8; knight f5; pawns a6/b7/f6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb1 — rook f1→b1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight f5→d4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Re1 (rook b1→e1).
3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight d4→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
4. Best move: Nxf4 — knight e2→f4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1p6/p4pq1/2P2n2/3P1Q2/P3P3/5PPP/5RK1 w - - 3 30

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