Chess Puzzle #4Co0i — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops b3/c1; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/d4/d6/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishop b7; knights b8/d7; pawns a4/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa4 — bishop b3→a4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa5+ — queen d8→a5, gives check. Opponent replies b4 (pawn b2→b4).
3. Best move: Qxa4 — queen a5→a4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxa4 (queen d1→a4, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxa4 — rook a8→a4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, opening. The key move is Qa5+.

Position data

FEN: rn1qk2r/1b1n1ppp/2pPp3/8/p2P4/PB3N2/1P3PPP/R1BQK2R w KQkq - 0 13

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