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

Position

White: king c1; queen f7; rooks d1/h1; bishop g3; knight h3; pawns a3/b2/c5/e3/f2/g2. Black: king a8; queen a6; rook d8; bishops d3/f8; pawns a5/b4/c4/c6. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: axb4 — pawn a5→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxd3 (rook d1→d3, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a6→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Kc2 (king c1→c2).
4. Best move: cxd3+ — pawn c4→d3, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kb3 (king c2→b3).
5. Best move: Qxh1 — queen a1→h1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, queenside attack, sacrifice, very long. The key move cxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: k2r1b2/5Q2/q1p5/p1P5/1pp5/P2bP1BN/1P3PP1/2KR3R w - - 0 27

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