Chess Puzzle #awl7c — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen c6; rook c7; bishop b3; knight a5; pawns a4/b2/c2/f2/f3/h2. Black: king g8; queen g5; rook f8; knight f6; pawns b4/e5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 4 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc4 — knight a5→c4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc1+ — queen g5→c1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
3. Best move: Nh5 — knight f6→h5. Opponent replies Rxf7 (rook c7→f7, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxf7 — rook f8→f7, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move is Qc1+.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2R2pp1/2Q2n1p/N3p1q1/Pp6/1B3P2/1PP2P1P/5K2 w - - 0 26

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