Chess Puzzle #JTPW2 — Intermediate, Black to move, opening

Position

White: king b1; queen c4; rooks d1/h1; bishops d2/f1; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/c2/e4/f5/g4/h2. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/f6; knight b4; pawns a6/b5/d7/e6/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxb5 — knight c3→b5, captures pawn. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: axb5 — pawn a6→b5, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxb4 (bishop d2→b4, captures knight).
3. Best move: bxc4 — pawn b5→c4, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move axb5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/3p1pp1/p3pb1p/qp3P2/1nQ1P1P1/2N5/PPPB3P/1K1R1B1R w - - 0 18

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