Chess Puzzle #vt090 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishops b2/e2; knight d2; pawns a2/b3/c3/d3/h3. Black: king c8; queen h2; rooks d8/h8; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/c5/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nf3 — knight d2→f3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3+ — queen h2→h3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
3. Best move: Qg3+ — queen h3→g3, gives check. Opponent replies Kh1 (king g1→h1).
4. Best move: Ng4 — knight e5→g4.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr3r/pp3ppp/8/2ppn3/8/1PPP3P/PB1NB2q/R2QRK2 w - - 0 18

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