Chess Puzzle #3x4sO — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; queen e2; rook f1; knight f3; pawns a4/c2/e5/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook a8; pawns a6/c3/g6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc4 — queen e2→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rb8+ — rook a8→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc3 (king b3→c3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rc8 — rook b8→c8. Opponent replies Qxc8+ (queen c4→c8, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxc8+ — queen e6→c8, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

endgame, equality, long, pin. The key move Qxc8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/6pp/p3q1p1/4P3/P5P1/1Kp2N1P/2P1QP2/5R2 w - - 0 29

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