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

Position

White: king c1; queen c2; rooks d1/e1; knight e5; pawns b2/b4/d4/f2/g4/h3. Black: king g8; queen a2; rooks c8/f8; pawns a7/b7/c3/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b2→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa1+ — queen a2→a1, gives check. Opponent replies Qb1 (queen c2→b1).
3. Best move: Qxb1+ — queen a1→b1, captures queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kxb1 (king c1→b1, captures queen).
4. Best move: c2+ — pawn c3→c2, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, attraction, exposed king, long, middlegame, queenside attack. The key move Qxb1+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/pp3ppp/4p3/4N3/1P1P2P1/2p4P/qPQ2P2/2KRR3 w - - 0 22

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