Chess Puzzle #pc9Hi — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen a6; rooks g1/g6; pawns a2/c3/d4/h5. Black: king e8; queen a3; rook f2; bishop f8; knight d7; pawns a5/d5/e6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc8+ — queen a6→c8, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ke7 — king e8→e7. Opponent replies Rxe6+ (rook g6→e6, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxe6 — king e7→e6, captures rook. Opponent replies Qe8+ (queen c8→e8, gives check).
4. Best move: Kd6 — king e6→d6.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Ke7.

Position data

FEN: 4kb2/3n4/Q3p1R1/p2p3P/3P4/q1P5/P4r2/1K4R1 w - - 0 35

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