Chess Puzzle #2ATDf — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen g5; rooks d1/h1; knights d4/e4; pawns a2/a4/c2/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen b6; rooks a8/h8; bishop b7; pawns a5/b4/c5/d6/e6/f7/h5. White is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: cxd4 — pawn c5→d4, captures knight. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nf6+ — knight e4→f6, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e8→d8).
3. Best move: Nd5+ — knight f6→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kc8 (king d8→c8).
4. Best move: Nxb6+ — knight d5→b6, captures queen, gives check.

Tactical themes

crushing, discovered attack, long, middlegame. The key move Nxb6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r3k2r/1b3p2/1q1pp3/p1p3Qp/Pp1NN3/5P2/P1P3PP/3RK2R b Kkq - 0 20

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