Chess Puzzle #4CQ2Z — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen a2; rooks g1/h1; bishops d1/h4; knight d2; pawns a3/b4/c5/g6. Black: king h8; queen f5; rooks c8/e8; knights b5/d4; pawns a6/b7/e4/f4/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg4 — bishop d1→g4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc5+ — rook c8→c5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nc4 (knight d2→c4).
3. Best move: Qd5 — queen f5→d5. Opponent replies bxc5 (pawn b4→c5, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nc3 — knight b5→c3.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Rxc5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r2k/1p4p1/p5Pp/1nP2q2/1P1npp1B/P7/Q2N4/2KB2RR w - - 1 32

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