Chess Puzzle #p0Z5a — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen d5; rooks a1/h1; bishop c3; pawns a3/b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks d8/e8; knight g4; pawns a7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf5 — queen d5→f5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe3 — knight g4→e3, captures pawn. Opponent replies fxe3 (pawn f2→e3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen e7→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e2→f1).
4. Best move: Re4 — rook e8→e4. Opponent replies g3 (pawn g2→g3).
5. Best move: Qd3+ — queen e3→d3, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, quiet move, very long. The key move Qxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/p3qppp/8/3Q4/6n1/P1B1P3/1P2KPPP/R6R w - - 3 20

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