Chess Puzzle #rRC4X — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen f4; rooks a1/e1; bishops e6/g3; knights d2/f1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/e4/g2. Black: king c8; queen h1; rooks f8/h8; bishops b7/e7; knights d7/f6; pawns a7/b6/c7/d6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nh2 — knight f1→h2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxe4+ — knight f6→e4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nxe4 (knight d2→e4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rxf4+ — rook f8→f4, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Bxf4 (bishop g3→f4, captures rook).
4. Best move: Bh4+ — bishop e7→h4, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Nxe4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k2r1r/pbpnb3/1p1pBn2/8/3PPQ2/2P3B1/PP1N1KP1/R3RN1q w - - 7 23

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