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

Position

White: king b2; queen d4; rook e4; knight e5; pawns b3/f3/g2/h2. Black: king h8; queen f6; rook c2; knight b4; pawns a6/b7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ka3 — king b2→a3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: a5 — pawn a6→a5. Opponent replies Nf7+ (knight e5→f7, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxf7 — queen f6→f7, captures knight. Opponent replies Qd8+ (queen d4→d8, gives check).
4. Best move: Qg8 — queen f7→g8.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, quiet move. The key move is a5.

Position data

FEN: 7k/1p4pp/p4q2/4N3/1n1QR3/1P3P2/1Kr3PP/8 w - - 0 39

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