Chess Puzzle #17Cqb — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen d7; rook d1; bishop c3; pawns a3/b2/e3/g2. Black: king g8; queen c4; bishop g3; knight e4; pawns a7/b7/d5/g6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd3 — rook d1→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd3+ — queen c4→d3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd3 (king e2→d3, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nc5+ — knight e4→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Kd4 (king d3→d4).
4. Best move: Nxd7 — knight c5→d7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, endgame, fork, long, sacrifice. The key move Qxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/pp1Q2p1/6p1/3p4/2q1n3/P1B1P1b1/1P2K1P1/3R4 w - - 4 36

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