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

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rook a1; bishop f2; knight b6; pawns a5/d5/e4/f3/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c7; rook b8; bishop d8; knight g3; pawns d6/e5/f4/g5/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc1 — rook a1→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen c7→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc1 (queen d2→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight g3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
4. Best move: Nxc1 — knight e2→c1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: 1r1b2k1/2q5/1N1p2p1/P2Pp1p1/4Pp2/5PnP/3Q1BP1/R5K1 w - - 3 41

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