Chess Puzzle #JBzAt — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook b1; bishop c7; knight b5; pawns a5/b6/f2/g2/h3. Black: king e7; rook b7; bishop c4; knight d4; pawns d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb5 — knight d4→b5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: a6 — pawn a5→a6. Opponent replies Nxc7 (knight b5→c7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: axb7 — pawn a6→b7, captures rook. Opponent replies Na6 (knight c7→a6).
4. Best move: Ra1 — rook b1→a1.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, advantage, endgame, long, trapped piece. The key move is a6.

Position data

FEN: 8/1rB1kppp/1P2p3/PN1p4/2bn4/7P/5PP1/1R4K1 b - - 1 32

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