Chess Puzzle #juCEC — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen g3; rooks a1/e1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/f3/g2. Black: king c8; queen c5; rooks h4/h8; pawns a7/c6/c7/d4/f7/g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qf2 — queen g3→f2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rh1+ — rook h4→h1, gives check. Opponent replies Ke2 (king f1→e2).
3. Best move: Qc4+ — queen c5→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king e2→d2).
4. Best move: dxc3+ — pawn d4→c3, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move dxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k4r/p1p2pp1/2p5/2q1P3/3p3r/2N2PQ1/PPP3P1/R3RK2 w - - 0 21

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