Chess Puzzle #N9GBh — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks c1/c2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rooks c8/f8; knight f6; pawns b6/d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxd5 — queen g5→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen b7→d5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc2 — rook c8→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qc6 (queen d5→c6).
4. Best move: Rxc6 — rook c2→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1Q3pp1/1p2pn1p/3p2q1/3P4/2N1P3/PPR2PPP/2R3K1 w - - 2 20

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