Chess Puzzle #VHvp4 — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen a4; rook a1; bishops e3/g2; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/e4/g3. Black: king c8; queen e5; rooks d8/h2; bishop d3; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g4/g6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa7 — queen a4→a7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxe4 — bishop d3→e4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qa8+ (queen a7→a8, gives check).
3. Best move: Kd7 — king c8→d7. Opponent replies Qa4+ (queen a8→a4, gives check).
4. Best move: Bc6 — bishop e4→c6.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move Bxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/ppp2p2/6p1/4q3/Q3P1p1/2PbB1P1/PP1N1KBr/R7 w - - 0 21

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