Chess Puzzle #MVOCG — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks f2/h3; bishop e2; knight c3; pawns a3/b5/d4/f5/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks e7/e8; bishop c7; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/d5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxa3 — queen d6→a3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures pawn. Opponent replies Qa1+ (queen a3→a1, gives check).
3. Best move: Rf1 — rook f2→f1.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 4r1k1/ppb1rppp/3q1n2/1P1p1P2/3P4/P1NQ3R/4BRPP/6K1 b - - 5 24

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