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

Position

White: king f2; queen c1; rooks a1/d4; bishops e1/g4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e3/g2. Black: king b8; queen h1; rooks d8/h8; bishop g3; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxg3 — king f2→g3, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures rook. Opponent replies exd4 (pawn e3→d4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qh4+ — queen h1→h4, gives check. Opponent replies Kf3 (king g3→f3).
4. Best move: Qxg4+ — queen h4→g4, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Qxg4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/ppp2p2/5n2/8/3R2B1/2N1P1b1/PPP2KP1/R1Q1B2q w - - 1 22

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