Chess Puzzle #1cF6R — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook b7; knight a8; pawns a2/c2/d4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king d7; rook e8; bishops d2/f1; knight c6; pawns a7/f6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 5 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ke6 — king d7→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc7+ — knight a8→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Ke7 (king e6→e7).
3. Best move: Nxe8+ — knight c7→e8, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxe8 (king e7→e8, captures knight).
4. Best move: Kxf1 — king g1→f1, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, discovered check, endgame, equality, fork, long. The key move Nxe8+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: N3r3/pR1k1ppp/2n2p2/8/3P4/8/P1Pb1PPP/5bK1 b - - 0 17

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