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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/f1; bishop b3; knights c3/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f2/g2. Black: king b8; queen c7; rooks d8/h8; bishop e5; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g4/g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe5 — knight f3→e5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe5 — queen c7→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies f4 (pawn f2→f4).
3. Best move: Qc5+ — queen e5→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Qf2 (queen e2→f2).
4. Best move: Qh5 — queen c5→h5.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move Qxe5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r3r/ppq2pp1/2p2n2/4b3/4P1p1/1BN2N2/PPP1QPP1/R4RK1 w - - 0 18

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