Chess Puzzle #ppS76 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d4; rooks d1/h1; bishop d3; pawns a2/b3/c2/d2/f2/g3/h5. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks c8/f8; bishop f5; pawns a7/b7/d6/f7/g6/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg6 — pawn h5→g6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc2+ — queen c6→c2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc2 (bishop d3→c2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxc2+ — rook c8→c2, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
4. Best move: Rc4+ — rook c2→c4, gives check. Opponent replies Kb2 (king b1→b2).
5. Best move: Rxd4 — rook c4→d4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, discovered check, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, very long. The key move Qxc2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/pp3p2/2qp2pp/5b1P/3Q4/1P1B2P1/P1PP1P2/2KR3R w - - 1 21

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