Chess Puzzle #qKUz9 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d4; rooks d1/h1; bishop d3; knight d7; pawns b2/c3/f2/h5/h6. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks a8/c8; knight d5; pawns a7/b4/e6/f6/g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg7 — pawn h6→g7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: bxc3 — pawn b4→c3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nxf6+ (knight d7→f6, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxf6 — knight d5→f6, captures knight. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rab8 — rook a8→b8.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move bxc3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1r3k1/p2N2p1/4pp1P/3n3P/1p1Q4/2PB4/qP3P2/2KR3R w - - 0 21

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