Chess Puzzle #OUKyA — Expert, White to move, middlegame

Position

White: king c1; rooks d1/d3; knights c3/e4; pawns a2/b2/e5/f3/g2/h2. Black: king e8; rooks d8/h8; bishop d7; knights a5/g8; pawns a7/c5/e6/f7/g7/h6. Black is ahead by 3 points of material. White to move.

Solution (5 moves)

1. Opponent setup: Ne7 — knight g8→e7. Now White to move.
2. Best move: Nd6+ — knight e4→d6, gives check. Opponent replies Kf8 (king e8→f8).
3. Best move: Nb7 — knight d6→b7. Opponent replies Nxb7 (knight a5→b7, captures knight).
4. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d3→d7, captures bishop. Opponent replies Rxd7 (rook d8→d7, captures rook).
5. Best move: Rxd7 — rook d1→d7, captures rook. Opponent replies g5 (pawn g7→g5).
6. Best move: Rxb7 — rook d7→b7, captures knight.

Tactical themes

discovered attack, equality, middlegame, very long. The key move is Nd6+.

Position data

FEN: 3rk1nr/p2b1pp1/4p2p/n1p1P3/4N3/2NR1P2/PP4PP/2KR4 b k - 3 20

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