Chess Puzzle #KCh8V — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen f2; rooks c1/h1; bishop e2; knight a1; pawns a2/b2/c4/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen f6; rooks a8/f8; bishop e6; knight c5; pawns a4/b7/d6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc2 — rook c1→c2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Opponent replies O-O (king e1→g1).
3. Best move: axb2 — pawn a3→b2, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is a3.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1p3ppp/3pbq2/2n5/p1P1P3/5P2/PP2BQPP/N1R1K2R w K - 3 19

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