Chess Puzzle #XS3oW — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen a4; rook h1; bishops e3/f3; knights d1/g1; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/h2. Black: king d8; queen f1; rook h8; bishops f5/f8; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxe4 — bishop f3→e4, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: b5 — pawn b7→b5. Opponent replies Bd3 (bishop e4→d3).
3. Best move: Bxd3 — bishop f5→d3, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qh4+ (queen a4→h4, gives check).
4. Best move: Be7 — bishop f8→e7.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is b5.

Position data

FEN: 3k1b1r/ppp2ppp/2n5/5b2/Q3p3/4BB2/PPP2P1P/2KN1qNR w - - 0 16

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