Chess Puzzle #F0X6R — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a1; rooks f1/g7; knight g3; pawns e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen c4; rooks d7/d8; pawns b4/c5/e6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook f1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen c4→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen a1→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rd1+ — rook d7→d1, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd1 (queen c1→d1, captures rook).
4. Best move: Rxd1+ — rook d8→d1, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/3r2Rp/4p3/2p5/1pq1P3/6N1/5PPP/Q4RK1 w - - 2 26

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