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

Position

White: king e2; queen e5; rooks d3/e6; pawns b3/d4/f3/g2. Black: king g8; queen c2; rook g6; knight d5; pawns a6/b6/f4/g3. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd2 — rook d3→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nc3+ — knight d5→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kf1 (king e2→f1).
3. Best move: Qb1+ — queen c2→b1, gives check. Opponent replies Qe1 (queen e5→e1).
4. Best move: Rxe6 — rook g6→e6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long, pin. The key move is Nc3+.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/8/pp2R1r1/3nQ3/3P1p2/1P1R1Pp1/2q1K1P1/8 w - - 3 38

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