Chess Puzzle #381n1 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishops b6/d3; pawns b4/b5/c3/g3/h2. Black: king c8; queen f7; rooks f8/h8; bishop c7; knight g8; pawns b7/d5/e6/g7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra8+ — rook a1→a8, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Kd7 — king c8→d7. Opponent replies Rxf8 (rook a8→f8, captures rook).
3. Best move: Bxb6+ — bishop c7→b6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king g1→g2).
4. Best move: Qxf8 — queen f7→f8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Bxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2k2rnr/1pb2qp1/1B2p3/1P1p4/1P6/2PB2P1/7P/R2QR1K1 w - - 3 24

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