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

Position

White: king e1; queen e2; rooks a1/h1; bishop c1; knight f7; pawns a2/b2/c2/g2/h4. Black: king c8; queen d6; rooks d8/h8; bishops f5/f8; pawns a7/b7/d5/f4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb4+ — queen d6→b4, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: c3 — pawn c2→c3. Opponent replies Qa4 (queen b4→a4).
3. Best move: Nxd8 — knight f7→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

defensive move, equality, middlegame, short. The key move is c3.

Position data

FEN: 2kr1b1r/pp3Npp/3q4/3p1b2/5p1P/8/PPP1Q1P1/R1B1K2R b KQ - 1 15

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