Chess Puzzle #4XcTc — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook e1; knight f6; pawns a2/b2/c3/d5/g2/h3. Black: king h8; rook a8; bishop f8; knight b8; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Kg7 — king h8→g7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne8+ — knight f6→e8, gives check. Opponent replies Kg6 (king g7→g6).
3. Best move: Nxc7 — knight e8→c7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Bd6 (bishop f8→d6).
4. Best move: Nxa8 — knight c7→a8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, endgame, long, trapped piece. The key move is Ne8+.

Position data

FEN: rn3b1k/ppp2p2/5N1p/3P4/8/2P4P/PP4P1/4R1K1 b - - 0 23

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