Chess Puzzle #AXIA5 — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen d5; rooks a1/e1; bishop d3; pawns a3/b4/c2/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen h1; rooks a8/e8; bishop b8; pawns a6/b7/f5/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kd2 — king e2→d2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bf4+ — bishop b8→f4, gives check. Opponent replies Kc3 (king d2→c3).
3. Best move: Rxe1 — rook e8→e1, captures rook. Opponent replies Qxf5 (queen d5→f5, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Rxa1 — rook e1→a1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, long, middlegame. The key move is Bf4+.

Position data

FEN: rb2r1k1/1p3p1p/p7/3Q1p2/1P6/P2B3P/2P1KPP1/R3R2q w - - 5 22

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