Chess Puzzle #AFbJb — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen e4; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/g3; knight f3; pawns a3/c4/c5/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c2/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd2 — knight f3→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa3 — queen a5→a3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxa3 (rook a1→a3, captures queen).
3. Best move: c1=Q+ — pawn c2→c1, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, deflection, middlegame, promotion, short. The key move Qxa3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/pp3ppp/2n1p3/q1P5/2P1Q3/P3PNB1/2p2PPP/R3KB1R w KQ - 0 14

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