Chess Puzzle #WsMPL — Expert, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king d2; rook a5; bishop d4; knight c8; pawns b4/c3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king h8; queen e4; knight d5; pawn g7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nb6 — knight c8→b6. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxb4 — knight d5→b4, captures pawn. Opponent replies cxb4 (pawn c3→b4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxd4+ — queen e4→d4, captures bishop, gives check.

Tactical themes

deflection, endgame, equality, short. The key move Qxd4+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2N4k/6p1/8/R2n4/1P1Bq3/2P3P1/3K1P1P/8 w - - 8 37

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