Chess Puzzle #MI3U6 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c4/d6; knight b1; pawns a2/c2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks a8/h8; bishops b2/c8; pawns a7/b7/c5/d7/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: O-O — king e1→g1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxa1 — bishop b2→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies Na3 (knight b1→a3).
3. Best move: Bc3 — bishop a1→c3. Opponent replies Nb5 (knight a3→b5).
4. Best move: Ba5 — bishop c3→a5.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, hanging piece, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move Bxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/pp1p1ppp/3B4/2p5/2B5/8/PbP2PPP/RN2K2R w KQkq - 0 12

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