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

Position

White: king c1; queen d3; rooks d1/h1; bishop d2; knight e2; pawns b2/c2/d4/e4/f3/g5/h4. Black: king g8; queen a5; rook a8; bishop e7; knights c4/d7; pawns a3/a7/c6/d5/f5/g6/g7/h5. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa5 — bishop d2→a5, captures queen. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: a2 — pawn a3→a2. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen d3→c4, captures knight).
3. Best move: a1=Q+ — pawn a2→a1, promotes to queen, gives check. Opponent replies Kd2 (king c1→d2).
4. Best move: Qxa5+ — queen a1→a5, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Qc3 (queen c4→c3).
5. Best move: Bb4 — bishop e7→b4.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, fork, middlegame, pin, promotion, very long. The key move Qxa5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/p2nb1p1/2p3p1/q2p1pPp/2nPP2P/p2Q1P2/1PPBN3/2KR3R w - - 0 23

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