Chess Puzzle #lUoI2 — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e2; bishops e4/h6; pawns a2/d3/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen b5; rooks a8/d8; bishops c3/c8; pawns a6/b7/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa1 — bishop c3→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa1 — queen d1→a1, captures bishop. Opponent replies e5 (pawn e6→e5).
3. Best move: Bc6 — bishop e4→c6. Opponent replies f6 (pawn f7→f6).
4. Best move: Bxb5 — bishop c6→b5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, long, middlegame. The key move Qxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1br2k1/1p3p1p/p3p1pB/1q6/4B3/2bP3P/P3RPP1/R2Q2K1 b - - 3 19

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