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

Position

White: king c1; queen e4; rook d1; bishops c2/d2; knight d5; pawns a2/b2/f2/g5/h3. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks c8/f8; bishop d6; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exd5 — pawn e6→d5, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxa5 — bishop d2→a5, captures queen. Opponent replies dxe4 (pawn d5→e4, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxd6 — rook d1→d6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, middlegame, short. The key move Bxa5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/5p2/p2bp1p1/qp1N2P1/4Q3/7P/PPBB1P2/2KR4 b - - 1 20

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