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

Position

White: king f1; queen d1; rooks c1/e1; bishop a3; knights e4/f3; pawns a2/b2/d3/e3/h2. Black: king h8; queen d8; rooks a8/e8; bishops b6/g4; pawns a7/b7/c6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc5 — bishop a3→c5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Bxf3 — bishop g4→f3, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxf3 (queen d1→f3, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxd3+ — queen d8→d3, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kg2 (king f1→g2).
4. Best move: Qxe4 — queen d3→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxe4 (queen f3→e4, captures queen).
5. Best move: Rxe4 — rook e8→e4, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxb6 (bishop c5→b6, captures bishop).
6. Best move: axb6 — pawn a7→b6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, exposed king, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Qxd3+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qr2k/pp3ppp/1bp5/8/4N1b1/B2PPN2/PP5P/2RQRK2 w - - 2 20

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