Chess Puzzle #N7MwN — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen a8; rooks d1/h1; knight d2; pawns b2/c4/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; queen a4; rook e7; bishop b4; pawns a7/c6/c7/h6. White is ahead by 7 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b3 — pawn b2→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa2+ — queen a4→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Kd3 (king c2→d3).
3. Best move: Qb2 — queen a2→b2. Opponent replies Qxc6+ (queen a8→c6, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxc6 — king d7→c6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move is Qa2+.

Position data

FEN: Q7/p1pkr3/2p4p/8/qbPP4/8/1PKN1PPP/3R3R w - - 3 21

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