Chess Puzzle #LPF1X — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen g4; rook d1; bishop d2; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g5. Black: king b8; queen d4; rook h8; bishop d6; knights d7/f5; pawns a7/b7/f4/g6/g7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb6 — queen d4→b6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd6 — knight b5→d6, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rh4 (rook h8→h4).
3. Best move: Qe2 — queen g4→e2.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 1k5r/pp1n2p1/3b2p1/1N3nP1/3q1pQ1/8/PPPB1P2/2KR4 b - - 1 26

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