Chess Puzzle #1DQxj — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f1; rook e1; bishop c4; knight g5; pawns f3/g4/h2. Black: king f8; rook a8; bishops c7/f5; knight a2; pawns b7/c6/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bg6 — bishop f5→g6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne6+ — knight g5→e6, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king f8→e7).
3. Best move: Nxc7+ — knight e6→c7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kd6 (king e7→d6).
4. Best move: Nxa8 — knight c7→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, discovered attack, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Nxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r4k2/1pb3pp/2p5/5bN1/2B3P1/5P2/n6P/4RK2 b - - 0 29

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