Chess Puzzle #MC7fh — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen c3; rooks d1/h7; knight g5; pawns a3/c2/d5/e4/f3/g4. Black: king g8; queen b7; rooks b6/b8; bishop b4; pawns c7/e5/g6. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen c3→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc7 — queen b7→c7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxc7 (rook h7→c7, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ba5 — bishop b4→a5. Opponent replies c3 (pawn c2→c3).
4. Best move: Rb1+ — rook b6→b1, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move Qxc7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r4k1/1qp4R/1r4p1/3Pp1N1/1b2P1P1/P1Q2P2/2P5/2KR4 w - - 0 29

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