Chess Puzzle #4Qghz — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks b1/h7; bishop c4; pawns c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen a1; rooks c8/e8; pawns b2/e6/f5/g6/g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb5 — bishop c4→b5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen d3→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen a1→b1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r3/5kpR/4p1p1/5p2/2BP4/2PQ4/1p3PPP/qR4K1 w - - 4 37

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