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

Position

White: king a2; queen e6; rooks c1/h1; pawns a3/c2/d3/d5/f2/g4/h6. Black: king h8; queen c3; rooks a8/f8; pawns a4/b4/c7/f6/g5/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies Rb1 (rook c1→b1).
3. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen c3→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka1 (king a2→a1).
4. Best move: Qc3+ — queen c2→c3, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, exposed king, long. The key move Qxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4r1k/2p4p/4Qp1P/3P2p1/pp4P1/P1qP4/K1P2P2/2R4R w - - 2 30

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