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

Position

White: king b1; queen h3; rooks d4/h1; knight e6; pawns a2/b3/c2/c3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks b8/f8; bishop e4; pawns a4/c6/c7/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc5 — knight e6→c5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: axb3 — pawn a4→b3, captures pawn. Opponent replies axb3 (pawn a2→b3, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qa3 — queen a6→a3. Opponent replies Rxe4 (rook d4→e4, captures bishop).
4. Best move: fxe4 — pawn f5→e4, captures rook. Opponent replies Qe6+ (queen h3→e6, gives check).
5. Best move: Kh8 — king g8→h8.

Tactical themes

crushing, middlegame, very long. The key move axb3 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1r3rk1/2p3pp/q1p1N3/5p2/p2Rb3/1PP4Q/P1P3PP/1K5R w - - 0 22

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