Chess Puzzle #3pWac — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen c2; rook c1; bishop a4; pawns a2/b3/f3/g4/h5. Black: king h8; queen e3; bishop a3; knight d5; pawns e6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd1 — rook c1→d1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc3+ — knight d5→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king b1→a1).
3. Best move: Nxd1 — knight c3→d1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qc8+ (queen c2→c8, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh7 — king h8→h7.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Nc3+.

Position data

FEN: 7k/6p1/4p2p/3n3P/B5P1/bP2qP2/P1Q5/1KR5 w - - 7 31

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