Chess Puzzle #E2NXP — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d6; rook a1; bishop e6; knight d4; pawns a2/c3/e5/g2. Black: king a7; queen b2; rooks a8/h8; pawns a6/b7/d5/g3/g7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rf1 — rook a1→f1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3 — queen b2→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nc6+ (knight d4→c6, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxc6 — queen c3→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxc6 (queen d6→c6, captures queen).
4. Best move: bxc6 — pawn b7→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r6r/kp4p1/p2QB3/3pP3/3N4/2P3p1/Pq4P1/R5K1 w - - 5 25

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