Chess Puzzle #00BNd — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks a1/d2; bishops b5/d4; knight d5; pawns a2/a4/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks b8/c8; bishops d7/g7; knight f6; pawns d6/e7/f7/g6/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxb5 — bishop d7→b5, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe7+ — knight d5→e7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Nxc8 — knight e7→c8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, middlegame, short. The key move Nxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1rr3k1/3bppbp/3p1np1/1B1N4/P2BP3/5P2/P2R2PP/R5K1 b - - 0 21

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