Chess Puzzle #09aOZ — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; queen f5; bishops f4/h7; knights c4/g5; pawns a2/b3/e3/f2/g2. Black: king h8; queen e8; rooks c8/h6; bishops b7/c3; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/h5. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg7 — bishop c3→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf7+ — knight g5→f7, gives check. Opponent replies Qxf7 (queen e8→f7, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxf7 — queen f5→f7, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxh7 (rook h6→h7, captures bishop).
4. Best move: Qxd7 — queen f7→d7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Nf7+.

Position data

FEN: 2r1q2k/pb1n3B/1p5r/5QNp/2N2B2/1Pb1P3/P3KPP1/8 b - - 2 23

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