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

Position

White: king d2; rooks a1/h1; bishop f3; knight d1; pawns a2/b3/c2/d3/e4/f4/h2/h3. Black: king e7; rooks a8/h8; bishop f8; knights b8/f6; pawns a3/b5/c5/d4/e5/h6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: exf4 — pawn e5→f4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: e5 — pawn e4→e5. Opponent replies Ra6 (rook a8→a6).
3. Best move: exf6+ — pawn e5→f6, captures knight, gives check.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move exf6+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: rn3b1r/4k3/5n1p/1pp1p3/3pPP2/pP1P1B1P/P1PK3P/R2N3R b - - 0 20

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