Chess Puzzle #xlAwN — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b7; rooks e1/f2; knight c6; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen h5; rooks a8/e8; bishop e6; knight f5; pawns a7/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bd5 — bishop e6→d5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxa8 — queen b7→a8, captures rook. Opponent replies Rxa8 (rook e8→a8, captures queen).
3. Best move: Rxf5 — rook f2→f5, captures knight.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, pin, short. The key move Qxa8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r3r1k1/pQ3pp1/2N1b2p/5n1q/3P4/6P1/PPP2R1P/4R1K1 b - - 0 26

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