Chess Puzzle #4n20X — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c2; rooks d1/e1; bishop b1; knight f5; pawns a2/b2/c3/e5/f2/g2/h3. Black: king g8; queen c6; rooks d8/e8; bishop b7; knight d5; pawns a6/b5/c5/f4/f7/g7/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nb4 — knight d5→b4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne7+ — knight f5→e7, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king g8→f8).
3. Best move: Nxc6 — knight e7→c6, captures queen. Opponent replies Nxc2 (knight b4→c2, captures queen).
4. Best move: Nxd8 — knight c6→d8, captures rook.

Tactical themes

advantage, long, middlegame. The key move is Ne7+.

Position data

FEN: 3rr1k1/1b3pp1/p1q4p/1ppnPN2/5p2/2P4P/PPQ2PP1/1B1RR1K1 b - - 3 27

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