Chess Puzzle #g69GP — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d2; rooks b1/b2; knights c3/f3; pawns a4/c2/d3/e4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen e6; rook d8; bishops a6/e7; knight f6; pawns a7/c7/d4/e5/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb8 — rook b2→b8. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: dxc3 — pawn d4→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd8+ (rook b8→d8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Bxd8 — bishop e7→d8, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen d2→c3, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Nd7 — knight f6→d7.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move dxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r2k1/p1p1bpp1/b3qn1p/4p3/P2pP3/2NP1N1P/1RPQ1PP1/1R4K1 w - - 0 21

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