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

Position

White: king c1; queen c8; rooks d1/e1; knight e5; pawns c2/d4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e7; queen b5; rooks a8/h8; knight b8; pawns b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxh8 — queen c8→h8, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qb4 — queen b5→b4. Opponent replies Nc6+ (knight e5→c6, gives check).
3. Best move: bxc6 — pawn b7→c6, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxe6+ (rook e1→e6, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: fxe6 — pawn f7→e6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is Qb4.

Position data

FEN: rnQ4r/1p2kppp/4p3/1q1pN3/3P4/5P2/2P3PP/2KRR3 w - - 2 27

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