Chess Puzzle #9D649 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a4; rooks d6/f1; pawns a2/b4/c3/c5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c7; rooks b2/e2; pawns a7/c6/f5/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc6 — rook d6→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qf4 — queen c7→f4. Opponent replies Rc8+ (rook c6→c8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg7 — king g8→g7. Opponent replies Qe8 (queen a4→e8).
4. Best move: Rxe8 — rook e2→e8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long. The key move is Qf4.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/p1q2p1p/2pR2p1/2P2p2/QP6/2P5/Pr2rPPP/5RK1 w - - 5 25

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