Chess Puzzle #3Ezuv — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook c8; knight f7; pawns a3/b2/b4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king h7; rook d2; bishop d3; pawns a4/b5/e5/g7/h6. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rxb2 — rook d2→b2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Rh8+ — rook c8→h8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h7→g6).
3. Best move: Nxe5+ — knight f7→e5, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Kf6 (king g6→f6).
4. Best move: Nxd3 — knight e5→d3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, long. The key move Nxe5+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 2R5/5Npk/7p/1p2p3/pP6/P2b3P/1P1r1PP1/6K1 b - - 0 32

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