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

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rooks c1/f1; knights c4/e5; pawns d4/f2/g2/g3. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a5/c8; bishop a6; knight e4; pawns e6/f5/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd4 — queen d6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxa5 — knight c4→a5, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook c8→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Rxc1 — rook f1→c1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, hanging piece, middlegame, short. The key move Nxa5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 2r3k1/6pp/b2qp3/r3Np2/2NPn3/6P1/4QPP1/2R2RK1 b - - 0 25

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