Chess Puzzle #J1P1j — Intermediate, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king e1; queen b3; rooks a1/h1; bishop g3; knights d2/g1; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/h4. Black: king e8; queen b5; rooks a8/h8; bishops f5/h6; knight g8; pawns a6/c6/d5/e7/f6/g4/h5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a4 — pawn a2→a4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxd2+ — bishop h6→d2, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd2 (king e1→d2, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxb3 — queen b5→b3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, short. The key move Bxd2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k1nr/4p3/p1p2p1b/1q1p1b1p/3P2pP/1QP3B1/PP1N1PP1/R3K1NR w KQkq - 8 15

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