Chess Puzzle #tSW1M — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen c2; rooks c1/h8; bishops b1/e5; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2. Black: king d7; queen b6; rooks a8/g2; bishop e7; knight e4; pawns a7/b7/c4/d5/f5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa8 — rook h8→a8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qh6 — queen b6→h6. Opponent replies Rh8 (rook a8→h8).
3. Best move: Qg5 — queen h6→g5. Opponent replies Qa4+ (queen c2→a4, gives check).
4. Best move: Ke6 — king d7→e6.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is Qh6.

Position data

FEN: r6R/pp1kb3/1q6/3pBp2/2pPn3/2P5/PPQ2Pr1/1BR1K3 w - - 2 24

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