Chess Puzzle #1e0Bn — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d4; rook f1; bishops b2/g2; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rook c8; bishop e6; knight f6; pawns a6/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook f1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen c2→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc1 (bishop b2→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc1+ — rook c8→c1, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Bf1 (bishop g2→f1).
4. Best move: Bh3 — bishop e6→h3.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5ppp/p3bn2/3p4/3Q4/1P2P1P1/PBq2PBP/5RK1 w - - 0 20

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