Chess Puzzle #DSHgc — Intermediate, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king f2; queen c4; rooks a1/h1; bishop h3; knight f4; pawns a3/b4/c5/d6/e3/f3. Black: king d8; queen f6; rooks e8/f8; bishop h7; knights a6/c7; pawns a7/b7/g6/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 2 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: g5 — pawn g6→g5. Now White to move.
2. Best move: dxc7+ — pawn d6→c7, captures knight, gives check. Opponent replies Kxc7 (king d8→c7, captures pawn).
3. Best move: Nd5+ — knight f4→d5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb8 (king c7→b8).
4. Best move: Nxf6 — knight d5→f6, captures queen.

Tactical themes

advanced pawn, attraction, crushing, exposed king, fork, long, middlegame. The key move dxc7+ captures with check, forcing a response.

Position data

FEN: 3krr2/ppn3pb/n2P1qpp/2P5/1PQ2N2/P3PP1B/5K2/R6R b - - 0 31

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