Chess Puzzle #40NlR — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook e1; bishop e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/g2/g3/h2. Black: king h7; queen c6; rook e8; bishop b7; pawns a7/b6/c7/f5/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf3 — queen e2→f3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc5+ — queen c6→c5, gives check. Opponent replies Qf2 (queen f3→f2).
3. Best move: Rxe5 — rook e8→e5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxe5 (rook e1→e5, captures rook).
4. Best move: Qxe5 — queen c5→e5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Qc5+.

Position data

FEN: 4r3/pbp3pk/1pq4p/4Bp2/8/2P3P1/PP2Q1PP/4R1K1 w - - 1 24

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