Chess Puzzle #2U4wy — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king a2; queen h4; rooks d1/h1; bishop b2; knight g5; pawns b3/d2/g4/g6/h2. Black: king g8; queen a6; rooks a8/f8; bishop c5; knight a3; pawns a7/b7/c7/d4/f7/g7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nb1+ — knight a3→b1, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxb1 — king a2→b1, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxg6+ (queen a6→g6, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: d3 — pawn d2→d3. Opponent replies Be7 (bishop c5→e7).
4. Best move: Bc1 — bishop b2→c1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, long, middlegame. The key move Kxb1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/ppp2pp1/q5P1/2b3N1/3p2PQ/nP6/KB1P3P/3R3R b - - 0 24

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