Chess Puzzle #1BajC — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b5; rooks a1/c1; bishop f1; knight c5; pawns a4/b2/c3/d4/f5/g2. Black: king c8; queen d6; rooks g8/h3; knights c6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/e7/f7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: b6 — pawn b7→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa6+ — queen b5→a6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king c8→d8).
3. Best move: Nb7+ — knight c5→b7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd7 (king d8→d7).
4. Best move: Nxd6 — knight b7→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Qa6+.

Position data

FEN: 2k3r1/ppp1pp1p/2nq1n2/1QNp1P2/P2P4/2P4r/1P4P1/R1R2BK1 b - - 1 19

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