Chess Puzzle #7vb3T — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g1; queen c3; rooks a1/f1; bishops b2/e2; knight e6; pawns a3/c4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d8; rooks a5/f8; bishops b7/e5; knight g6; pawns b6/c7/f6/g7/h7. White is ahead by 1 point of material. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxc3 — bishop e5→c3, captures queen. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxd8 — knight e6→d8, captures queen. Opponent replies Bxb2 (bishop c3→b2, captures bishop).
3. Best move: Nxb7 — knight d8→b7, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

equality, middlegame, short. The key move Nxd8 wins material.

Position data

FEN: 3q1rk1/1bp3pp/1p2Npn1/r3b3/2P5/P1Q1P3/1B2BPPP/R4RK1 b - - 0 17

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