Chess Puzzle #6CP4L — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king e1; queen h6; rooks b1/h1; bishop e2; knights c3/g5; pawns a3/b2/c2/f2/g4/h4. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/f8; bishop d7; knights d4/f6; pawns a7/b7/d6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Black is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe2 — knight d4→e2, captures bishop. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nce4 — knight c3→e4. Opponent replies Qxf2+ (queen b6→f2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Nxf2 — knight e4→f2, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Nce4.

Position data

FEN: r4rk1/pp1bpp1p/1q1p1npQ/6N1/3n2PP/P1N5/1PP1BP2/1R2K2R b K - 0 15

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