Chess Puzzle #eX5Dz — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen d7; rook d1; knights a2/c3; pawns b3/c2. Black: king b8; queen d4; rook c8; knight d2; pawns a4/b7/d6/e5/f5. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kc1 — king b2→c1. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: axb3 — pawn a4→b3, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxd2 (rook d1→d2, captures knight).
3. Best move: bxa2 — pawn b3→a2, captures knight. Opponent replies Rxd4 (rook d2→d4, captures queen).
4. Best move: a1=Q+ — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, crushing, long, middlegame, promotion, trapped piece. The key move axb3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1kr5/1p1Q4/3p4/4pp2/p2q4/1PN5/NKPn4/3R4 w - - 0 41

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