Chess Puzzle #X0yld — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f4; rook d6; pawns a3/b4/c3/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen b3; rook c8; pawns a6/b5/b6/g6/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb6 — rook d6→b6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc3 — queen b3→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies h4 (pawn h2→h4).
3. Best move: Qd4+ — queen c3→d4, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king g1→h2).
4. Best move: Qxb6 — queen d4→b6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Qxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/6pk/pp1R2pp/1p6/1P2PQ2/PqP2P2/6PP/6K1 w - - 5 32

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