Chess Puzzle #jLbQ0 — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rooks d1/h1; bishops d3/e3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g2/h6. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/d8; bishops e6/f6; knight d5; pawns a6/b7/c5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: hxg7 — pawn h6→g7, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc3 — knight d5→c3, captures knight. Opponent replies Bd4 (bishop e3→d4).
3. Best move: Ne2+ — knight c3→e2, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king c1→b1).
4. Best move: Bxa2+ — bishop e6→a2, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, queenside attack. The key move Bxa2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/1p3ppp/pq2bb1P/2pn4/8/2NBB3/PPPQ1PP1/2KR3R w - - 1 19

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