Chess Puzzle #ZbNqI — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f2; rook e1; bishop e4; knight e5; pawns a4/b5/c6/d4/h4. Black: king g8; queen e7; rooks d6/f8; knight e3; pawns a5/b6/f4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd4 — rook d6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qa2+ — queen f2→a2, gives check. Opponent replies Nc4 (knight e3→c4).
3. Best move: Bd3 — bishop e4→d3.

Tactical themes

advantage, master, middlegame, short. The key move is Qa2+.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/4q1p1/1pPr3p/pP2N3/P2PBp1P/4n3/5Q2/4R1K1 b - - 1 36

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