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

Position

White: king g1; queen d1; rooks a1/f1; knight b5; pawns a2/b2/c2/f2/g3/h2. Black: king e8; queen h6; rooks a8/g8; bishop b7; knight d7; pawns a7/b6/e5/e6/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 4 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qh3 — queen h6→h3. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight b5→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
3. Best move: Nxb7 — knight d6→b7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, fork, middlegame, short. The key move is Nd6+.

Position data

FEN: r3k1r1/pb1n1p1p/1p2p1pq/1N2p3/8/6P1/PPP2P1P/R2Q1RK1 b q - 1 16

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