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

Position

White: king c1; queen c3; rooks d1/h1; bishop e3; knight f3; pawns a3/b2/c2/f2/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks b8/e8; bishops e7/g6; pawns a7/c4/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd4 — bishop e3→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxb2 — rook b8→b2, captures pawn. Opponent replies Kxb2 (king c1→b2, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rb8+ — rook e8→b8, gives check. Opponent replies Kc1 (king b2→c1).
4. Best move: Bxa3+ — bishop e7→a3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
5. Best move: Bb4 — bishop a3→b4. Opponent replies Qxb4 (queen c3→b4, captures bishop).
6. Best move: Rxb4 — rook b8→b4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, deflection, middlegame, pin, queenside attack, sacrifice, very long. The key move Bxa3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1r2r1k1/p3bppp/q5b1/6P1/2p4P/P1Q1BN2/1PP2P2/2KR3R w - - 4 21

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