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

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rook c1; knight f3; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen c7; rook d8; bishop b2; pawns c5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc5 — queen c4→c5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d8→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Rxd1 (rook c1→d1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc5 — queen c7→c5, captures queen. Opponent replies Rd8+ (rook d1→d8, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh7 — king h8→h7.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, long. The key move is Rd1+.

Position data

FEN: 3r3k/2q3p1/7p/2p5/2Q5/1P3N1P/Pb3PP1/2R3K1 w - - 3 29

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