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

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rook f1; bishops a3/f7; knights b1/e5; pawns a2/b3/d2/f4/g2/h2. Black: king f6; queen a1; rooks a8/h8; bishops f5/f8; knights b8/g8; pawns a7/b7/e4/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxa3 — bishop f8→a3, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc3 — knight b1→c3. Opponent replies Qxc3 (queen a1→c3, captures knight).
3. Best move: dxc3 — pawn d2→c3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, opening, short. The key move is Nc3.

Position data

FEN: rn3bnr/pp3Bpp/5k2/4Nb2/4pP2/BP6/P2P2PP/qN1Q1RK1 b - - 3 12

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