Chess Puzzle #8uOxy — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen f3; rooks a1/h1; bishop d3; knights a3/d5; pawns a2/b2/c4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops e6/f8; knight c6; pawns a6/b5/c5/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight c6→d4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc7+ — knight d5→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen d8→c7, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxa8+ — queen f3→a8, captures rook, gives check.

Tactical themes

deflection, discovered attack, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Qxa8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r2qkb1r/5ppp/p1n1b3/1ppNp3/2P5/N2B1Q2/PP3PPP/R3K2R b KQkq - 2 13

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