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

Position

White: king g1; queen a7; rook a1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen d7; rooks d8/g7; knight e6; pawns b7/d5/g6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nc7 — knight e6→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Na4 — knight c3→a4. Opponent replies Qc6 (queen d7→c6).
3. Best move: Nb6+ — knight a4→b6, gives check. Opponent replies Qxb6 (queen c6→b6, captures knight).
4. Best move: Qxb6 — queen a7→b6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame, quiet move. The key move is Na4.

Position data

FEN: 2kr4/Qp1q2r1/4n1p1/3p4/8/2N5/PP3PPP/R5K1 b - - 0 24

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