Chess Puzzle #EqZOz — Intermediate, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b2; queen d2; rook h4; bishop g2; knight e6; pawns a2/b3/e5/f4/g5. Black: king g8; queen e7; rook c8; bishops b7/f8; pawns a6/d5/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd4 — knight e6→d4. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Qa3+ — queen e7→a3, gives check. Opponent replies Kb1 (king b2→b1).
3. Best move: Bb4 — bishop f8→b4.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, master, middlegame, short. The key move is Qa3+.

Position data

FEN: 2r2bk1/1b2q2p/p3N1p1/3pP1P1/5P1R/1P6/PK1Q2B1/8 w - - 1 39

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