Chess Puzzle #4jKPa — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen d5; rooks d1/h1; bishops f1/f4; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/d4/e3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a8/f8; bishop f5; knights b8/d3; pawns a6/b5/d6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb2+ — knight d3→b2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Kxb2 — king b1→b2, captures knight. Opponent replies Be6 (bishop f5→e6).
3. Best move: Nb3 — knight d2→b3. Opponent replies Qxa2+ (queen a5→a2, captures pawn, gives check).
4. Best move: Kxa2 — king b2→a2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, long, middlegame. The key move Kxb2 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rn3rk1/5ppp/p2p4/qp1Q1b2/3P1B2/3nP3/PP1N2PP/1K1R1B1R b - - 2 16

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