Chess Puzzle #Ba916 — Intermediate, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c1/f1; knights b5/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e5/f4/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops a6/f8; knights c6/g8; pawns a7/c4/d4/e7/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc4 — bishop f1→c4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxb5 — bishop a6→b5, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxb5 (bishop c4→b5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qa5+ — queen d8→a5, gives check. Opponent replies c3 (pawn c2→c3).
4. Best move: Qxb5 — queen a5→b5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, fork, long, opening. The key move Bxb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2qkbnr/p3pppp/b1n5/1N2P3/2pp1P2/5N2/PPP3PP/R1BQKB1R w KQkq - 2 9

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