Chess Puzzle #L4cGU — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen a3; rook d1; bishop e2; knights c5/f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/e3/e5/g2. Black: king c8; queen e7; rook d8; bishops d7/h6; knight b8; pawns a6/b6/c7/d5/e6/f7/g6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc5 — pawn b6→c5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxa6+ — bishop e2→a6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Nxa6 (knight b8→a6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxa6+ — queen a3→a6, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c8→b8).
4. Best move: Rd3 — rook d1→d3. Opponent replies c4 (pawn c5→c4).
5. Best move: Ra3 — rook d3→a3.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, queenside attack, quiet move, very long. The key move Bxa6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1nkr4/2pbqp2/pp2p1pb/2NpP3/3P4/Q3PN2/PPP1B1P1/1K1R4 b - - 1 19

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