Chess Puzzle #ZdrEo — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen h5; rook h1; bishop g6; pawns a2/c3/e5/f6/h4. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks b7/f8; bishop d4; pawns a3/b3/d5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxd4 — pawn c3→d4, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rc7+ — rook b7→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd1 (king c1→d1).
3. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen b6→d4, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king d1→e2).
4. Best move: Qb2+ — queen d4→b2, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, exposed king, intermezzo, long. The key move Qxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/1r6/1q3PB1/3pP2Q/3b3P/ppP5/P7/2K4R w - - 1 35

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