Chess Puzzle #JPBDw — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e6; rook c1; bishops e3/f7; knight c3; pawns a2/d4/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen b2; rook d8; bishops b7/g7; knight a5; pawns a7/b6/e7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg5 — bishop e3→g5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxc1+ — queen b2→c1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Bxc1 (bishop g5→c1, captures queen).
3. Best move: Bc8 — bishop b7→c8. Opponent replies Nb5 (knight c3→b5).
4. Best move: Bxe6 — bishop c8→e6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, sacrifice, trapped piece. The key move Qxc1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3r1k2/pb2pBbp/1p2Q1p1/n7/3PP3/2N1BP2/Pq4PP/2R3K1 w - - 3 22

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