Chess Puzzle #1tZ2X — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b2; bishops b6/e2; knight c3; pawns b5/c6/d5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c8; rook a8; bishop e5; knight e7; pawns f5/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd5 — knight e7→d5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd5 — knight c3→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxb2 (bishop e5→b2, captures queen).
3. Best move: Ne7+ — knight d5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
4. Best move: Nxc8 — knight e7→c8, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Nxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1q3k1/4nppp/1BP5/1P1Pbp2/8/2N4P/1Q2BPP1/6K1 b - - 0 30

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