Chess Puzzle #7HPmG — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishop e3; knights c3/e2; pawns a2/b2/c2/d5/f3/h5. Black: king f7; queen a5; rooks a8/b8; bishops b4/f5; knight d7; pawns a6/c4/e5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: d6 — pawn d5→d6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Ba3 — bishop b4→a3. Opponent replies Qd5+ (queen d2→d5, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxd5 — queen a5→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, short. The key move is Ba3.

Position data

FEN: rr6/3n1kpp/p7/q2Ppb1P/1bp5/2N1BP2/PPPQN3/1K1R3R w - - 0 23

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