Chess Puzzle #JOsH9 — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king h1; queen d3; rooks a1/f1; bishops c1/c2; knight e5; pawns a2/b2/d4/f4/g2/h2. Black: king g8; queen b6; rooks a8/f8; bishops c8/d6; knight f6; pawns a6/b5/e6/f7/g7/h7. Material is balanced. White to move.

Solution (2 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Bb7 — bishop c8→b7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd7 — knight e5→d7. Opponent replies Bxg2+ (bishop b7→g2, captures pawn, gives check).
3. Best move: Kg1 — king h1→g1.

Tactical themes

advantage, middlegame, short. The key move is Nd7.

Position data

FEN: r1b2rk1/5ppp/pq1bpn2/1p2N3/3P1P2/3Q4/PPB3PP/R1B2R1K b - - 4 17

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