Chess Puzzle #3v1xu — Beginner, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen b3; rooks c1/d1; knight c4; pawns a3/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen f4; rooks c8/f8; knight f6; pawns a7/b7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Qe4 — queen f4→e4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6 — knight c4→d6. Opponent replies Rxc1 (rook c8→c1, captures rook).
3. Best move: Nxe4 — knight d6→e4, captures queen. Opponent replies Rxd1+ (rook c1→d1, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Qxd1 — queen b3→d1, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, fork, long, middlegame. The key move is Nd6.

Position data

FEN: 2r2rk1/pp3ppp/4pn2/8/2N2q2/PQ4P1/5P1P/2RR2K1 b - - 0 20

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