Chess Puzzle #3Tae4 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; queen c5; rooks c1/h1; pawns b2/c4/d5/e4/f3/g5/h4. Black: king g7; queen a4; rook c8; knights d6/h7; pawns e5/f7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd6 — queen c5→d6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc4+ — queen a4→c4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c3→d2).
3. Best move: Qd4+ — queen c4→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d2→e2).
4. Best move: Qxb2+ — queen d4→b2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move Qxc4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/5pkn/3n2p1/2QPp1Pp/q1P1P2P/2K2P2/1P6/2R4R w - - 3 41

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