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

Position

White: king e3; bishop d2; knight b3; pawns a2/b4/e4/f3/g2/h2. Black: king c6; bishops b5/g7; pawns a6/d6/e7/f7/g6/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bc4 — bishop b5→c4. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Na5+ — knight b3→a5, gives check. Opponent replies Kb5 (king c6→b5).
3. Best move: a4+ — pawn a2→a4, gives check. Opponent replies Kxa4 (king b5→a4, captures pawn).
4. Best move: Nxc4 — knight a5→c4, captures bishop.

Tactical themes

advantage, deflection, endgame, fork, long. The key move is Na5+.

Position data

FEN: 8/4ppbp/p1kp2p1/1b6/1P2P3/1N2KP2/P2B2PP/8 b - - 4 35

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