Chess Puzzle #rL538 — Advanced, Black to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b1; queen f3; rooks a3/d2; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/c4/d4/f2/g2/h4. Black: king a8; queen e7; rooks d8/f8; knight f6; pawns a6/b7/c6/e6/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. Black to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxa6+ — rook a3→a6, captures pawn, gives check. Now Black to move.
2. Best move: bxa6 — pawn b7→a6, captures rook. Opponent replies Nxc6 (knight e5→c6, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Qb7 — queen e7→b7.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move bxa6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: k2r1r2/1p2qp2/p1p1pnpp/4N3/2PP3P/R4Q2/PP1R1PP1/1K6 w - - 4 24

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