Chess Puzzle #56sIx — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen e5; rooks d2/h1; bishop a2; knight b3; pawns d3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a3; rook c8; bishop e6; knight d5; pawns c3/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 5 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook d2→c2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nb4 — knight d5→b4. Opponent replies Qa5 (queen e5→a5).
3. Best move: Nxc2 — knight b4→c2, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxa3 (queen a5→a3, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nxa3+ — knight c2→a3, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame, queenside attack. The key move Nxa3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/5p1p/4b1p1/3nQ3/8/qNpP1P2/B2R2PP/1K5R w - - 0 30

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