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

Position

White: king g1; queen d3; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/c4; knights c3/c6; pawns a2/b2/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/e7; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. White is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qxd3 — queen d8→d3, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe7+ — knight c6→e7, captures bishop, gives check. Opponent replies Kh8 (king g8→h8).
3. Best move: Bxd3 — bishop c4→d3, captures queen.

Tactical themes

crushing, hanging piece, intermezzo, opening, short. The key move Nxe7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1rk1/pp2bppp/2N1pn2/8/2B5/2NQP3/PP3PPP/R1B2RK1 b - - 0 10

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