Chess Puzzle #04fJP — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rooks e1/e3; knights c6/e4; pawns a3/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; rooks a8/d5; bishops e6/e7; pawns a6/b6/c5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bf6 — bishop e7→f6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf6+ — knight e4→f6, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies gxf6 (pawn g7→f6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Ne7+ — knight c6→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
4. Best move: Nxd5 — knight e7→d5, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Nxf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5k1/4bppp/ppN1b3/2pr4/4N3/P3R3/1P3PPP/4R1K1 b - - 8 23

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