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

Position

White: king c1; queen e3; rook d1; bishop f1; knight a5; pawns a2/c2/d3/e2/g3. Black: king d7; queen d5; rook b2; bishop e6; knight d4; pawns a7/f7/g4/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kxb2 — king c1→b2, captures rook. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qxa2+ — queen d5→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kc3 (king b2→c3).
3. Best move: Qxa5+ — queen a2→a5, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd4 (king c3→d4, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qb6+ — queen a5→b6, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Qxa2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 8/p2k1p1p/4b3/N2q4/3n2p1/3PQ1P1/PrP1P3/2KR1B2 w - - 0 22

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