Chess Puzzle #kAAHk — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen f3; rooks d1/e1; bishop e5; knight c4; pawns a2/b2/c3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king c8; queen e6; rooks d8/f8; bishop b6; knight f5; pawns a7/b7/c7/g5/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxd1 — rook d8→d1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxb6+ — knight c4→b6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies axb6 (pawn a7→b6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxd1 — queen f3→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

equality, intermezzo, middlegame, short. The key move Nxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2kr1r2/ppp5/1b2q2p/4Bnp1/2N5/2P2Q2/PP3PPP/3RR1K1 b - - 5 20

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