Chess Puzzle #365jm — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen b3; rooks a1/h1; bishops d2/d5; knight g1; pawns a2/d4/e3/f4/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops b4/g4; knight c6; pawns a6/b7/c7/e4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Na5 — knight c6→a5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb4 — queen b3→b4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen d8→d5, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Qxa5 — queen b4→a5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Qxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/1pp2ppp/p1n5/3B4/1b1PpPbP/1Q2P1P1/P2B4/R3K1NR b KQ - 0 15

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