Chess Puzzle #MAR1l — Advanced, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king b3; rook c1; bishop b5; knights c3/c6; pawns a4/b2/d4/e3/f2/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks c8/h8; bishops d6/h5; knight d7; pawns a7/e6/f7/g7/h7. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (3 moves)

1. Opponent setup: O-O — king e8→g8. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Ne4 — knight c3→e4. Opponent replies Rxc6 (rook c8→c6, captures knight).
3. Best move: Bxc6 — bishop b5→c6, captures rook. Opponent replies Rb8+ (rook f8→b8, gives check).
4. Best move: Ka2 — king b3→a2.

Tactical themes

advantage, defensive move, long, middlegame. The key move is Ne4.

Position data

FEN: 2r1k2r/p2n1ppp/2Nbp3/1B5b/P2P4/1KN1P3/1P3PPP/2R5 b k - 2 18

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