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

Position

White: king g1; queen b1; rooks a4/d1; bishop e3; knight d2; pawns a6/b5/c3/c4/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen f7; rooks d8/f8; bishop g7; knight d3; pawns a7/b6/c5/d6/e4/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop g7→c3, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe4 — knight d2→e4, captures pawn. Opponent replies Nb2 (knight d3→b2).
3. Best move: Nxc3 — knight e4→c3, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3r1rk1/p4qb1/Pp1p2pp/1Pp5/R1P1p3/2PnB2P/3N1PP1/1Q1R2K1 b - - 1 24

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