Chess Puzzle #MCrZ2 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen a5; rook e1; bishop g2; pawns a2/b3/d4/f2/g3/h3. Black: king g7; queen c8; rook e8; bishop e6; pawns a6/b7/d5/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxd5 — bishop g2→d5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Opponent replies Bxe6 (bishop d5→e6, captures bishop).
3. Best move: bxa5 — pawn b6→a5, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxc8 (bishop e6→c8, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxe1+ — rook e8→e1, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, capturing the defender, endgame, long. The key move Rxe1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2q1r3/1p3pk1/p3b1pp/Q2p4/3P4/1P4PP/P4PB1/4R1K1 w - - 0 23

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