Chess Puzzle #29MCx — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; bishop g2; pawns d4/e2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king f8; queen c8; bishop f6; pawns c4/d5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc5+ — queen b5→c5, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc5 — queen c8→c5, captures queen. Opponent replies dxc5 (pawn d4→c5, captures queen).
3. Best move: c3 — pawn c4→c3. Opponent replies Bxd5 (bishop g2→d5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: c2 — pawn c3→c2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxc5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2q2k2/5pp1/5b1p/1Q1p4/2pP4/6P1/4PPBP/6K1 w - - 0 35

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