Chess Puzzle #3IJhH — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; bishop e3; knight b5; pawns a2/c2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; queen c3; rooks a8/h8; bishop c8; knights b8/d5; pawns a7/d7/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qc6 — queen c3→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Qxd5 — queen d1→d5, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd5 (queen c6→d5, captures queen).
3. Best move: Nc7+ — knight b5→c7, gives check. Opponent replies Kd8 (king e8→d8).
4. Best move: Nxd5 — knight c7→d5, captures queen.

Tactical themes

attraction, equality, fork, long, opening, sacrifice. The key move Qxd5 wins material.

Position data

FEN: rnb1k2r/p2ppp1p/6p1/1N1nP3/8/2q1B3/P1P2PPP/R2Q1RK1 b kq - 2 12

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