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

Position

White: king e1; queen c5; rooks a1/h1; bishop b5; knights b1/f3; pawns a3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b2; rooks a8/f8; bishop c8; knight c6; pawns a5/b7/d5/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc6 — bishop b5→c6, captures knight. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa1 — queen b2→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies O-O (king e1→g1).
3. Best move: bxc6 — pawn b7→c6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nc3 (knight b1→c3).
4. Best move: Qb2 — queen a1→b2.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, intermezzo, long, middlegame, pin. The key move Qxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/1p3ppp/2n5/pBQp4/8/P3PN2/1q3PPP/RN2K2R w KQ - 0 14

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