Chess Puzzle #9V0q6 — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen g4; rooks b1/f1; bishop g2; knights b5/h4; pawns a4/b3/c2/f4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops a6/b2; knight c6; pawns a7/b6/d5/e6/f7/g6/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb5 — bishop a6→b5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: axb5 — pawn a4→b5, captures bishop. Opponent replies Bd4+ (bishop b2→d4, gives check).
3. Best move: Kh1 — king g1→h1.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move axb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/p4p2/bpn1p1pp/1N1p4/P4PQN/1P4P1/1bP3BP/1R3RK1 b - - 1 18

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