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

Position

White: king b1; queen b6; rook c1; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f5. Black: king g7; queen d2; rook g2; knight f2; pawns a6/b5/d6/e5/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd6 — queen b6→d6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen d2→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc1 (king b1→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rg1+ — rook g2→g1, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
4. Best move: Nxe4+ — knight f2→e4, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

attraction, crushing, endgame, long, queenside attack, sacrifice. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/5pk1/pQ1p2p1/1p1NpP2/4P3/8/PPPq1nr1/1KR5 w - - 9 29

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