Chess Puzzle #1Va3T — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen b2; rooks b1/c5; pawns d4/e3/f2/f3/h4. Black: king e8; queen a2; rook a8; pawns a4/b3/b4/b7/e7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rb5 — rook c5→b5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb2+ — queen a2→b2, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Rxb2 (rook b1→b2, captures queen).
3. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies Rxb4 (rook b5→b4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long, master. The key move Qxb2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k3/1p2p2p/6p1/2R5/pp1P3P/1p2PP2/qQ2KP2/1R6 w q - 0 26

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