Chess Puzzle #95ElA — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; queen e2; rooks a1/h1; bishop d3; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c3/d4/f2/g2/g3. Black: king b7; queen e7; rooks d8/h8; knights c6/d5; pawns a6/b5/c7/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb5 — bishop d3→b5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxb5+ (queen e2→b5, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Nb6 — knight d5→b6.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move axb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r3r/1kp1qpp1/p1n1p2p/1p1n4/3P4/2PB1NP1/PPK1QPP1/R6R w - - 0 17

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