Chess Puzzle #DdYEG — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h7; rooks a1/h1; bishop e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d6/f3/g2. Black: king d8; queen e3; rooks c8/f8; bishop b7; knight f5; pawns a6/e6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qg6 — queen h7→g6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxc3 — rook c8→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen e3→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf2 (king e1→f2).
4. Best move: Qd4+ — queen c3→d4, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2rk1r2/1b5Q/p2Pp3/5n2/8/2N1qP2/PP2B1P1/R3K2R w KQ - 3 24

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