Chess Puzzle #48w4j — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e2; bishop d6; knight e6; pawns b2/f7/g2/h3. Black: king h6; rook c8; knight d7; pawns a7/b7/g5/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Rc6 — rook c8→c6. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nc5 — knight e6→c5. Opponent replies Kg6 (king h6→g6).
3. Best move: Nxd7 — knight c5→d7, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxf7 (king g6→f7, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Ne5+ — knight d7→e5, gives check. Opponent replies Ke6 (king f7→e6).
5. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e5→c6, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, fork, master, master vs master, very long. The key move is Nc5.

Position data

FEN: 2r5/pp1n1P1p/3BN2k/6p1/8/7P/1P2K1P1/8 b - - 3 30

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