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

Position

White: king h1; queen d6; rooks c1/f1; bishop e2; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/g5/h6. Black: king g8; queen e3; rooks c8/f8; bishop b7; knight f6; pawns a6/b5/d5/e4/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxf6 — rook f1→f6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen e3→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bf1 (bishop e2→f1).
3. Best move: Qxg5 — queen c1→g5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qe6+ (queen d6→e6, gives check).
4. Best move: Kh8 — king g8→h8.

Tactical themes

crushing, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/1b5p/p2Q1npP/1p1p2P1/4p3/2N1q3/PPP1B3/2R2R1K w - - 1 30

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