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

Position

White: king g1; queen b6; rooks a1/f1; pawns a2/b3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rooks d2/d4; pawns e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rac1 — rook a1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1 — queen c2→c1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen b6→d4, captures rook).
3. Best move: Qxf1+ — queen c1→f1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxf1 (king g1→f1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxd4 — rook d2→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move Qxf1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/5pp1/1Q2p2p/8/3r4/1P6/P1qr1PPP/R4RK1 w - - 3 24

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