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

Position

White: king b2; queen e2; knight e5; pawns a2/b4/f2/g3/h4. Black: king b8; queen d4; pawns b7/c6/c7/g6/h5. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka3 — king b2→a3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen d4→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Ka4 (king a3→a4).
3. Best move: b5+ — pawn b7→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Qxb5+ (queen e2→b5, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: cxb5+ — pawn c6→b5, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, long. The key move cxb5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k6/1pp5/2p3p1/4N2p/1P1q3P/6P1/PK2QP2/8 w - - 1 35

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