Chess Puzzle #0TMY8 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a3; queen d7; rook g1; bishop f1; pawns a2/b3/c2/e3/f2/h5. Black: king g8; rooks a8/e4; bishops b7/g7; pawns a4/b6/c7/d6/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxc7 — queen d7→c7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: axb3+ — pawn a4→b3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb3 (king a3→b3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Rc8 — rook a8→c8. Opponent replies Qxc8+ (queen c7→c8, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Bxc8 — bishop b7→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, long, middlegame. The key move axb3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/1bpQ1pb1/1p1p2p1/7P/p3r3/KP2P3/P1P2P2/5BR1 w - - 0 23

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