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

Position

White: king b2; queen d1; rooks e1/h1; bishop e2; pawns b3/c2/d5/f3/g4/g5. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks c8/e8; bishop b5; pawns a6/d6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb5 — bishop e2→b5, captures bishop. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qc3+ — queen a5→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king b2→b1).
3. Best move: Rxe1 — rook e8→e1, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxe1 (rook h1→e1, captures rook).
4. Best move: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, master, middlegame, pin. The key move is Qc3+.

Position data

FEN: 2r1r1k1/5ppp/p2p4/qb1P2P1/6P1/1P3P2/1KP1B3/3QR2R w - - 1 24

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