Chess Puzzle #07tfu — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook a1; bishop e3; knight c3; pawns a6/b7/f2/g2/h3. Black: king b8; rooks d7/d8; bishop d6; knight a7; pawns e4/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc7 — rook d7→c7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxa7+ — bishop e3→a7, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa7 (king b8→a7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Nb5+ — knight c3→b5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb6 (king a7→b6).
4. Best move: Nxd6 — knight b5→d6, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, attraction, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Bxa7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 1k1r4/nP1r2p1/P2b3p/8/4p3/2N1B2P/5PP1/R5K1 b - - 4 31

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