Chess Puzzle #aAcYF — Master, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c4; rooks a1/f1; bishop e3; knight c3; pawns a2/b2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks d7/f8; bishop e7; knight c2; pawns a7/c5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nd5 — knight c3→d5. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxa1 — knight c2→a1, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxe7+ (knight d5→e7, captures bishop, gives check).
3. Best move: Qxe7 — queen d8→e7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxa1 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3q1rk1/p2rbppp/8/2p5/2Q5/2N1B1P1/PPn2P1P/R4RK1 w - - 3 18

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