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

Position

White: king h1; queen b8; rooks b1/c5; pawns a6/g2/h3. Black: king h7; queen e6; rook e4; bishop f6; pawns c6/f7/g6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a7 — pawn a6→a7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Re1+ — rook e4→e1, gives check. Opponent replies Kh2 (king h1→h2).
3. Best move: Bd4 — bishop f6→d4. Opponent replies Qg8+ (queen b8→g8, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxg8 — king h7→g8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Re1+.

Position data

FEN: 1Q6/5ppk/P1p1qbp1/2R5/4r3/7P/6P1/1R5K w - - 3 36

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