Chess Puzzle #4UpdM — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen d2; rooks a1/h1; bishops f1/h6; knight f3; pawns a2/b2/c2/d4/f2/g2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/g7; knight c6; pawns a7/b7/c7/e4/e7/f7/g6. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxd4 — knight c6→d4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd4 — knight f3→d4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxd4 (queen d8→d4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Qxd4 — queen d2→d4, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxd4 (bishop g7→d4, captures queen).
4. Best move: Bxf8 — bishop h6→f8, captures rook. Opponent replies Bxb2 (bishop d4→b2, captures pawn).
5. Best move: Rd1 — rook a1→d1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, opening, very long. The key move Nxd4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1bq1rk1/ppp1ppb1/2n3pB/8/3Pp3/5N2/PPPQ1PP1/R3KB1R b KQ - 1 11

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