Chess Puzzle #EJxey — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks c1/e1; bishop c2; pawns a3/b2/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g7; queen g5; rooks c8/e8; knight c4; pawns a7/b7/d5/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxe8 — rook e1→e8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen g5→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qd1 (queen d3→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd1+ — queen c1→d1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Bxd1 (bishop c2→d1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxe8 — rook c8→e8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r3/pp3pk1/6p1/3p2q1/2nP4/P2Q3P/1PB2PP1/2R1R1K1 w - - 5 25

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