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

Position

White: king c1; queen h5; rooks f3/h1; knight g5; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h4. Black: king g8; queen g7; rooks a8/e8; bishop e6; pawns a7/b7/c6/d6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Re1 — rook h1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen g7→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
3. Best move: Qxe1+ — queen a1→e1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe1 (king d2→e1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Bf7+ — bishop e6→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e1→f1).
5. Best move: Bxh5 — bishop f7→h5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, discovered check, middlegame, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pp4q1/2ppb3/6NQ/7P/5R2/P1P2PP1/2K4R w - - 4 24

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