Chess Puzzle #nOo6t — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen c6; rooks d1/g1; bishops a6/e5; knight a7; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/h4. Black: king b8; queen e7; rooks d8/h8; bishops f3/f8; knight d5; pawns a5/b6/c7/e6/f6/g4/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nb4 — knight d5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxb6+ — queen c6→b6, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ka8 (king b8→a8).
3. Best move: Bxc7 — bishop e5→c7, captures pawn.

Tactical themes

crushing, deflection, middlegame, pin, queenside attack, short. The key move Qxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r1b1r/N1p1q3/BpQ1pp1p/p2nB3/3P2pP/5b2/PPP2P2/1K1R2R1 b - - 3 20

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