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

Position

White: king h1; queen d4; rook c2; pawns a2/b3/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; bishop b7; pawns c3/d5/e6/f5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc3 — rook c2→c3, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3 — queen c7→c3, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen d4→c3, captures queen).
3. Best move: d4+ — pawn d5→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Qc6 (queen c3→c6).
4. Best move: Bxc6+ — bishop b7→c6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, discovered check, endgame, long, sacrifice. The key move Bxc6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1bq4p/4p1p1/3p1p2/3Q1P2/1Pp3P1/P1R4P/7K w - - 2 30

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