Chess Puzzle #0edIb — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h2; queen a1; rook f1; bishop g2; knights d5/g3; pawns b3/c4/d3/e4/f3/g5/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rook f8; bishops e6/g7; knight c7; pawns b4/c5/d4/d6/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ra8 — rook f8→a8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e7→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxa1 (rook a8→a1, captures queen).
4. Best move: Rxa1 — rook f1→a1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Ne7+.

Position data

FEN: 5rk1/2n2pbp/2qpb1p1/2pN2P1/1pPpP3/1P1P1PNP/6BK/Q4R2 b - - 2 23

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