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

Position

White: king d1; queen f3; rooks a1/h1; bishops a4/f4; knights d2/e5; pawns a2/b2/c2/d3/g2/h2. Black: king f8; queen b6; rooks e8/h8; bishops a6/c5; knights a5/d5; pawns a7/c6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxb2 — queen b6→b2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen f3→d5, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxa1+ — queen b2→a1, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Nb1 (knight d2→b1).
4. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen a1→b1, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Bc1 (bishop f4→c1).
5. Best move: Ba3 — bishop c5→a3.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Qxa1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 4rk1r/p4ppp/bqp5/n1bnN3/B4B2/3P1Q2/PPPN2PP/R2K3R w - - 9 15

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