Chess Puzzle #ETVXC — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops g2/g5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g4/h3. Black: king c8; queen e6; rooks d7/e8; bishop d4; pawns a7/b7/c7/f5/g6/g7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc2 — queen d1→c2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa6+ — queen e6→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kg1 (king f1→g1).
3. Best move: Re2 — rook e8→e2. Opponent replies Bxb7+ (bishop g2→b7, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxb7 — king c8→b7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, long, middlegame. The key move is Qa6+.

Position data

FEN: 2k1r3/pppr2p1/4q1p1/5pB1/3b2P1/7P/PP3PB1/R2Q1K1R w - - 0 20

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