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

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks c4/c6; pawns b3/d5/e4/g2/h2. Black: king f7; queen f4; rooks c8/e7; pawns a5/c7/d6/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxc7 — rook c6→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qe3+ — queen f4→e3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king g1→f1).
3. Best move: Rf8 — rook c8→f8. Opponent replies Qf2+ (queen c2→f2, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg8 — king f7→g8.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, endgame, long, pin, quiet move. The key move is Qe3+.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/2p1rk1p/2Rp2p1/p2P4/2R1Pq2/1P6/2Q3PP/6K1 w - - 5 34

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