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

Position

White: king h1; queen c2; rooks a1/e2; bishops d3/e7; pawns a2/b2/c4/d4/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; knights b8/e4; pawns a7/b7/c6/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxf2+ — knight e4→f2, captures pawn, gives check. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rxf2 — rook e2→f2, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxe7 (queen d8→e7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Bxh7+ — bishop d3→h7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Bxh7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn1q1rk1/pp2Bppp/2p1p3/8/2PPn3/3B4/PPQ1RPP1/R6K b - - 0 15

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