Chess Puzzle #9fd8U — Master, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king g2; queen c2; rook d1; bishops b2/c4; knights d2/g5; pawns b4/c3/e4/f2/g3/h2. Black: king g8; queen d6; rooks a8/d8; bishop b6; knights c6/g4; pawns b7/c7/e5/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bxf2 — bishop b6→f2, captures pawn. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nxf7 — knight g5→f7, captures pawn. Opponent replies Ne3+ (knight g4→e3, gives check).
3. Best move: Kxf2 — king g2→f2, captures bishop. Opponent replies Nxd1+ (knight e3→d1, captures rook, gives check).
4. Best move: Kg1 — king f2→g1.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, fork, long, middlegame. The key move Nxf7 wins material.

Position data

FEN: r2r2k1/1pp2ppp/1bnq4/4p1N1/1PB1P1n1/2P3P1/1BQN1PKP/3R4 b - - 6 22

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