Chess Puzzle #53t23 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen d6; rooks d1/h1; bishop c5; pawns a2/b3/c3/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen f7; rooks a8/h8; bishop e6; pawns b7/c6/g4/g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rhe1 — rook h1→e1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxf2+ — queen f7→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b2→c1).
3. Best move: Bf5 — bishop e6→f5. Opponent replies Qe6+ (queen d6→e6, gives check).
4. Best move: Bxe6 — bishop f5→e6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move Qxf2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1k4r/1p3qp1/2pQb3/2B5/3P2p1/1PP5/PK3PPP/3R3R w - - 5 26

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