Chess Puzzle #2Od3w — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen e2; rook d1; knights b3/c4; pawns a2/b2/g3/h2. Black: king b7; queen f6; rook h8; bishop g7; knight g4; pawns a7/b6/c7/e4/f5/g6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxh2 — rook h8→h2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nca5+ — knight c4→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king b7→b8).
3. Best move: Qb5 — queen e2→b5. Opponent replies Qf8 (queen f6→f8).
4. Best move: Nc6+ — knight a5→c6, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, long, middlegame, pin. The key move is Nca5+.

Position data

FEN: 7r/pkp3b1/1p3qp1/5p2/2N1p1n1/1N4P1/PP2Q2P/3R2K1 b - - 0 27

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