Chess Puzzle #FJC7d — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen f7; rooks d1/g1; knights d2/f3; pawns c3/d4/f2/h4. Black: king h8; queen c6; rook g8; bishop g7; pawns a5/c7/d6/h6. White is ahead by 8 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rg6 — rook g1→g6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen c6→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook g8→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Nb3 (knight d2→b3).
4. Best move: Rxb3+ — rook b8→b3, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Qxb3 (queen f7→b3, captures rook).
5. Best move: Qxb3+ — queen c3→b3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, exposed king, middlegame, queenside attack, very long. The key move Qxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6rk/2p2Qb1/2qp3p/p7/3P3P/2P2N2/3N1P2/2KR2R1 w - - 2 37

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