Chess Puzzle #7lCTu — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen b3; rooks c1/h1; bishops d2/f1; knight b5; pawns a2/e4/f2/f3/h2. Black: king e8; queen b6; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knights c6/g8; pawns a7/b7/d6/e7/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: a6 — pawn a7→a6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd6+ — knight b5→d6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies exd6 (pawn e7→d6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxb6 — queen b3→b6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, opening, short. The key move Nxd6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3kbnr/pp2pppp/1qnp4/1N6/4P3/1Q3P2/P2B1P1P/2R1KB1R b Kkq - 3 12

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