Chess Puzzle #44axS — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen b1; knights d3/d4; pawns e3/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen c3; bishops b4/b7; pawns a4/d5/f6/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a3 — pawn a4→a3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxb4 — knight d3→b4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qb2 (queen c3→b2).
3. Best move: Qe1 — queen b1→e1.

Tactical themes

defensive move, endgame, equality, short. The key move Nxb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 6k1/1b5p/5pp1/3p4/pb1N1P2/2qNP3/6PP/1Q5K b - - 2 43

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