Chess Puzzle #9KNaQ — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen b3; rooks a1/h1; bishop d3; knights d2/f3; pawns d4/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops a6/b4; knight b8; pawns c4/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc4 — bishop d3→c4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxc4 — bishop a6→c4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen b3→c4, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Rxa1+ — rook a8→a1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Rxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn1q1rk1/5ppp/b3p3/4P3/1bpP4/1Q1B1N2/3N1PPP/R3K2R w KQ - 0 16

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