Chess Puzzle #2FsUm — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishop c2; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/e3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks e8/f8; bishops b5/e5; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxc3+ — bishop e5→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies bxc3 (pawn b2→c3, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxc3+ — queen f6→c3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qd2 (queen d1→d2).
4. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen c3→a1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move Bxc3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4rrk1/ppp2pp1/5q1p/1b1pb3/8/2P1PN1P/PPB2PP1/R2QK2R w KQ - 4 15

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