Chess Puzzle #2Cqg5 — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c2; knight c5; pawns a5/d7/e4/f2/h3. Black: king g6; bishop b5; knight f4; pawns a6/c3/f6/g5/h5. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne6 — knight f4→e6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe6 — knight c5→e6, captures knight. Opponent replies Bxd7 (bishop b5→d7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nf8+ — knight e6→f8, gives check. Opponent replies Kf7 (king g6→f7).
4. Best move: Nxd7 — knight f8→d7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

crushing, endgame, fork, long. The key move Nxe6 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 8/3P4/p4pk1/PbN3pp/4Pn2/2p4P/2K2P2/8 b - - 0 55

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