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

Position

White: king f2; queen d1; rooks a1/h1; bishops c4/g5; knight d5; pawns a2/f3/g3/h4. Black: king g8; queen a5; rooks a8/e8; bishop c8; knight e5; pawns a7/b7/d4/f5/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qb3 — queen d1→b3. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: Nxc4 — knight e5→c4, captures bishop. Opponent replies Qxc4 (queen b3→c4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Be6 — bishop c8→e6.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxc4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b1r1k1/pp4pp/8/q2NnpB1/2Bp3P/5PP1/P4K2/R2Q3R w - - 0 20

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