Chess Puzzle #MXBXj — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop b2; knights d4/f3; pawns a3/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/f8; knights b4/e4; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke2 — king e1→e2. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa6+ — queen b6→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke1 (king e2→e1).
3. Best move: Nd3+ — knight b4→d3, gives check. Opponent replies Qxd3 (queen d1→d3, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxd3 — queen a6→d3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Qa6+.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/5ppp/1q2p3/3p4/1n1Nn3/P3PN2/1B3PPP/R2QKR2 w Q - 0 18

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