Chess Puzzle #E9f3X — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a6; rooks d1/f1; knights a7/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/g2/h2. Black: king d8; queen d7; rooks b6/e7; bishops d6/g6; pawns c7/f6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc6+ — knight a7→c6, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc6 — queen d7→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies dxc6 (pawn d5→c6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxa6 — rook b6→a6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd6+ (rook d1→d6, captures bishop, gives check).
4. Best move: cxd6 — pawn c7→d6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3k4/N1pqrpp1/Qr1b1pbp/3P4/8/5N2/PPP3PP/3R1RK1 w - - 9 20

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