Chess Puzzle #r1PF8 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d2; rooks a1/f7; bishop c4; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/e4/f2/f3/h2. Black: king c8; queen h4; rooks d8/h8; knights d4/f4; pawns a7/b7/d6/e5/h6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd5 — knight c3→d5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxf3 — knight d4→f3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rc7+ (rook f7→c7, gives check).
3. Best move: Kb8 — king c8→b8. Opponent replies Rxb7+ (rook c7→b7, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxb7 — king b8→b7, captures rook. Opponent replies Qb4+ (queen d2→b4, gives check).
5. Best move: Kc8 — king b7→c8.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, very long. The key move Nxf3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/pp3R2/3p3p/4p3/2BnPn1q/2NP1P2/PPPQ1P1P/R6K w - - 1 16

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