Chess Puzzle #1wWZW — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks a1/f1; bishop e2; knights a6/f3; pawns b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/f8; bishop f5; knights d7/e4; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4 — queen b3→b4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Rxa6 — rook a8→a6, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd6 (queen b4→d6, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd6 — rook a6→d6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Rxa6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/3n1pp1/N2qp2p/3p1b2/3Pn3/1Q2PN2/1P2BPPP/R4RK1 w - - 1 16

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