Chess Puzzle #4oeds — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rook c7; knight b5; pawns a3/b4/e3/e4/g2/h3. Black: king h8; queen e8; rook b8; knight f6; pawns a7/d6/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen b7→c6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6 — queen e8→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc6 (rook c7→c6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxb5 — rook b8→b5, captures knight. Opponent replies Rc8+ (rook c6→c8, gives check).
4. Best move: Ng8 — knight f6→g8.

Tactical themes

advantage, capturing the defender, endgame, long. The key move Qxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r2q2k/pQR3pp/3p1n2/1N2p3/1P2P3/P3P2P/6P1/6K1 w - - 1 26

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