Chess Puzzle #Ew91N — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen a6; rook b1; bishops c1/e4; knight e2; pawns a5/c2/e5/f4/g3. Black: king b8; queen d8; rook h7; bishop d7; knights c6/f5; pawns a7/b6/c3/d4/e6/f7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh8 — queen d8→h8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: axb6 — pawn a5→b6, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rh1+ (rook h7→h1, gives check).
3. Best move: Kf2 — king e1→f2.

Tactical themes

crushing, defensive move, middlegame, short. The key move axb6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k1q4/p2b1p1r/Qpn1p3/P3Pn2/3pBP2/2p3P1/2P1N3/1RB1K3 b - - 0 24

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