Chess Puzzle #apQD0 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/e7; bishop g2; knight c3; pawns a2/b4/c2/d6. Black: king c8; queen d8; rooks g8/h8; bishop g4; pawns a6/b7/c6/f5/f7/g3. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc6 — bishop g2→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb6+ — queen d8→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Qe3 (queen d3→e3).
3. Best move: Qxe3+ — queen b6→e3, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxe3 (rook e7→e3, captures queen).
4. Best move: bxc6 — pawn b7→c6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, long, master, middlegame. The key move Qxe3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kq2rr/1p2Rp2/p1pP4/5p2/1P4b1/2NQ2p1/P1P3B1/R5K1 w - - 0 25

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