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

Position

White: king h2; queen c4; knight e8; pawns c3/d6/e5/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen c2; bishop h6; pawns b2/e6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d7 — pawn d6→d7. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qd2 — queen c2→d2. Opponent replies Qc5+ (queen c4→c5, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg8 — king f8→g8. Opponent replies Nf6+ (knight e8→f6, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg7 — king g8→g7.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move is Qd2.

Position data

FEN: 4Nk2/5p1p/3Pp1pb/4P3/2Q5/2P4P/1pq3PK/8 w - - 2 42

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