Chess Puzzle #52lbC — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; rook e1; bishops d3/e3; knights d6/f3; pawns a2/b2/e5/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e7; rooks a8/h8; bishop d7; knights c6/g8; pawns a7/b7/d5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe5 — knight c6→e5, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe5 — knight f3→e5, captures knight. Opponent replies Kxd6 (king e7→d6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Nxf7+ — knight e5→f7, captures pawn, gives check.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move Nxf7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: r5nr/pp1bkppp/2nNp3/3pP3/8/3BBN2/PP3PPP/4R1K1 b - - 0 14

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