Chess Puzzle #4QXMo — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; knight b6; pawns d3/e2/f3/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d5; rooks a8/f8; bishop b4; pawns a3/b7/d4/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb5 — queen d5→b5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxa8 — knight b6→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxa8 (rook f8→a8, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qb3 — queen d1→b3.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxa8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/1p3ppp/1N6/3q4/1b1p4/p2P1PP1/4P1KP/R2Q1R2 b - - 1 24

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