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

Position

White: king h1; queen g5; rook e1; knights d4/h7; pawns b4/c3/e5/f4/g3/h2. Black: king c7; queen e8; rook d8; knight e3; pawns b5/b7/f7/g7/h3. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe3 — rook e1→e3, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc6+ — queen e8→c6, gives check. Opponent replies Rf3 (rook e3→f3).
3. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d8→d4, captures knight.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, pin, short. The key move is Qc6+.

Position data

FEN: 3rq3/1pk2ppN/8/1p2P1Q1/1P1N1P2/2P1n1Pp/7P/4R2K w - - 11 39

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