Chess Puzzle #Qt6EC — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen e1; rook f1; bishop d2; knights c3/h2; pawns a3/b2/d3/f5/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishop d4; knight d5; pawns a6/b5/c7/e5/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: c6 — pawn c7→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen d8→d5, captures knight).
3. Best move: f6 — pawn f5→f6.

Tactical themes

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

Position data

FEN: r2q1rk1/2p2pp1/p6p/1p1npP2/3b4/P1NP3P/1P1B2PN/4QR1K b - - 1 18

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