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

Position

White: king d2; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishop e2; pawns a3/b4/d4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king c8; queen b6; rooks c5/g8; bishop f5; pawns a7/b7/c7/e6/f6/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: bxc5 — pawn b4→c5, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa5+ — queen b6→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke3 (king d2→e3).
3. Best move: Qc3+ — queen a5→c3, gives check. Opponent replies Bd3 (bishop e2→d3).
4. Best move: Rd8 — rook g8→d8.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, long, middlegame. The key move is Qa5+.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/ppp2p1p/1q2pp2/2r2b2/1P1P4/P6P/3KBPP1/R2Q3R w - - 0 20

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