Chess Puzzle #8XLOJ — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; queen b3; rooks d1/h1; bishop e5; knight d2; pawns a2/b2/c3/e4/f2/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen d3; rook a8; bishops c8/g7; knights b6/f6; pawns a7/b7/c7/f7/g6/h6. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (4 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Nxe4 — knight f6→e4, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxe4 — knight d2→e4, captures knight. Opponent replies Qxe4 (queen d3→e4, captures knight).
3. Best move: Rd8+ — rook d1→d8, gives check. Opponent replies Bf8 (bishop g7→f8).
4. Best move: Qa3 — queen b3→a3. Opponent replies Qb1+ (queen e4→b1, gives check).
5. Best move: Kxb1 — king c1→b1, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advantage, clearance, middlegame, pin, very long. The key move Nxe4 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r1b3k1/ppp2pb1/1n3npp/4B3/4P3/1QPq4/PP1N1PPP/2KR3R b - - 1 14

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