Chess Puzzle #1BX58 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen g3; rook f1; bishops b2/e4; knight c3; pawns a2/b4/d5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/f3; bishops d7/g7; pawns a6/c4/d6/e7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf3 — bishop e4→f3, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4 — queen b6→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qf2 (queen g3→f2).
3. Best move: Bxc3 — bishop g7→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxc3 (bishop b2→c3, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxc3 — queen b4→c3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Qxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/3bp1bp/pq1p2p1/3P4/1Pp1B3/2N2rQ1/PB4PP/5R1K w - - 0 24

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