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

Position

White: king d2; queen f7; rooks a1/h1; bishop f4; knights b1/d3; pawns a4/b2/f2/g2/h2. Black: king b6; queen d8; rooks a8/h8; bishops c8/f8; knights c2/g8; pawns a7/b7/c7/d5/e6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxa1 — knight c2→a1, captures rook. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Bxc7+ — bishop f4→c7, captures pawn, gives check. Opponent replies Qxc7 (queen d8→c7, captures bishop).
3. Best move: a5+ — pawn a4→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Ka6 (king b6→a6).
4. Best move: Qxc7 — queen f7→c7, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame, sacrifice. The key move Bxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1bnr/ppp2Q2/1k2p3/3p4/P4B2/3N4/1PnK1PPP/RN5R b - - 1 14

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