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

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/e1; bishop e2; knight b1; pawns a3/b4/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c5; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; knight f5; pawns a5/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: axb4 — pawn a5→b4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: axb4 — pawn a3→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Rxa1 (rook a8→a1, captures rook).
3. Best move: bxc5 — pawn b4→c5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move axb4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1k2r/1p3ppp/4p3/p1qp1n2/1P6/P1P5/4BPPP/RN1QR1K1 b kq - 0 15

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