Chess Puzzle #8Oicx — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen e5; rooks d1/e3; knight d3; pawns a2/c2/h2. Black: king b6; queen c4; rook d4; bishop e4; pawns a5/b7/c6/e6/f4/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rh3 — rook e3→h3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc3 — queen c4→c3. Opponent replies Qxf4 (queen e5→f4, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Bxd3 — bishop e4→d3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd4+ (queen f4→d4, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxd4 — queen c3→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, master, middlegame, pin. The key move is Qc3.

Position data

FEN: 8/1p5p/1kp1p3/p3Q3/2qrbp2/3NR3/P1P4P/2KR4 w - - 0 29

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