Chess Puzzle #v3k2x — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop g2; knight b3; pawns a3/b4/c2/e3/h3. Black: king e8; queen e6; rooks a8/h8; bishop c7; knight f6; pawns a7/b6/d5/g3/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight b3→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen e6→e3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
3. Best move: Rxh3+ — rook h8→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxh3 (bishop g2→h3, captures rook).
4. Best move: g2+ — pawn g3→g2, gives check. Opponent replies Bxg2 (bishop h3→g2, captures pawn).
5. Best move: O-O-O — king e8→c8.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, castling, crushing, defensive move, exposed king, kingside attack, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/p1b3p1/1p2qn2/3p4/1P6/PN2P1pP/2P3B1/R2Q1RK1 w kq - 0 23

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