Chess Puzzle #ItahI — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks b3/f1; bishop a6; pawns a7/b2/c2/d5/e4/f5/g2/h3. Black: king f8; queen e7; rooks a8/c8; knight c5; pawns c7/d6/e5/f6/g5/h6. White is ahead by 2 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb8 — queen b7→b8. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxa6 — knight c5→a6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc8+ (queen b8→c8, captures rook, gives check).
3. Best move: Rxc8 — rook a8→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

equality, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Nxa6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1r2k2/PQp1q3/B2p1p1p/2nPpPp1/4P3/1R5P/1PP3P1/5RK1 w - - 7 40

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