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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks a1/e1; bishop c2; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/d5/f2/h3. Black: king c8; queen h6; rooks d8/g8; bishop e7; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/c7/f7/g2. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: dxc6 — pawn d5→c6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxh3 — queen h6→h3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bf5+ (bishop c2→f5, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxf5 — queen h3→f5, captures bishop. Opponent replies cxb7+ (pawn c6→b7, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxb7 — king c8→b7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Qxh3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr2r1/1pp1bp2/p1n4q/3P4/3P4/2P4P/PPB1QPp1/R3R1K1 w - - 2 25

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