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

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rook g1; bishop f6; pawns a2/b3/c3/d3/e4/h2. Black: king d7; queen e6; rook b8; knight a5; pawns a7/d6/e5/f7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bh4 — bishop f6→h4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxb3+ — knight a5→b3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies axb3 (pawn a2→b3, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxb3 — queen e6→b3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qc2 (queen d2→c2).
4. Best move: Qa3+ — queen b3→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
5. Best move: Rb2 — rook b8→b2.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, endgame, exposed king, pin, queenside attack, very long. The key move Nxb3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r6/p2k1p1p/3pqB2/n3p3/4P3/1PPP4/P2Q3P/2K3R1 w - - 1 27

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