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

Position

White: king g1; rook d8; knight d7; pawns a2/b3/c3/g3/h2. Black: king f7; rook g6; bishop f3; knight e7; pawns a7/c7/e5/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rd6 — rook g6→d6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe5+ — knight d7→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f7→e6).
3. Best move: Rxd6+ — rook d8→d6, captures rook, gives check. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king e6→d6, captures rook).
4. Best move: Nxf3 — knight e5→f3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, endgame, equality, fork, long. The key move Nxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3R4/p1pNnkpp/6r1/4p3/8/1PP2bP1/P6P/6K1 b - - 3 27

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