Chess Puzzle #0BOha — Beginner, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen d2; rook d8; pawns a2/b3/b5/g2/h2. Black: king h7; queen e4; knight b4; pawns a3/b6/b7/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd4 — rook d8→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxa2+ — knight b4→a2, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxa2 (queen d2→a2, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen e4→d4, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, short. The key move Nxa2+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/1p3ppk/1p5p/1P6/1n2q3/pP6/P2Q2PP/2K5 w - - 4 36

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