Chess Puzzle #4CVRA — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; queen f4; rook g1; knight d4; pawns b3/c2/e5/g6/h4. Black: king e8; queen c5; rook c8; pawns b4/e6/f5/h5. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc1 — king d2→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc3 — queen c5→c3. Opponent replies g7 (pawn g6→g7).
3. Best move: Qa1+ — queen c3→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
4. Best move: Qxg1 — queen a1→g1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, skewer. The key move is Qc3.

Position data

FEN: 2r1k3/8/4p1P1/2q1Pp1p/1p1N1Q1P/1P6/2PK4/6R1 w - - 1 43

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