Chess Puzzle #8ThNc — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c3; queens c7/d8; rook a5; pawns b2/b4/c2/h4. Black: king g7; queen e3; rook d1; pawns a6/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 9 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qd3 — queen d8→d3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxd3+ — rook d1→d3, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies cxd3 (pawn c2→d3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qc1+ — queen e3→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd4 (king c3→d4).
4. Best move: Qxc7 — queen c1→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, skewer. The key move Rxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3Q4/2Q2pkp/p5p1/R7/1P5P/2K1q3/1PP5/3r4 w - - 1 36

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